Monday, January 23, 2006
Bottom of the Pittsburgh Bullpen
Expect fireballing RP Mike Gonzalez to be the Pittsburgh Pirates' closer when the season starts in April, despite competition from RP Solomon Torres. Gonzalez was to have won the job last year, but Jose Mesa could not be usurped despite his advancing age and declining performance. With Mesa gone to the Colorado Rockies, the path is open for Gonzalez. Newly signed Roberto Hernandez will vie for a setup spot.
Posts
Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.