Results tagged ‘ Juan Cruz ’
Trey Hillman media session: April 23
The talk today centered on the new additions to the Kansas City Royals; right-handed pitcher Brad Thompson and left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen. Royals’ manager Trey Hillman is excited to see the new arms in the bullpen and stated he is looking for the right combination to get the baseball to closer Joakim Soria in the ninth inning. Hillman knows that the Royals record this season would be significantly improved had they seen better outings from their relievers.
With these additions, also came some losses from the Royals’ bullpen. The Royals released relief pitcher Juan Cruz and designated relief pitcher Luis Mendoza for assignment. Hillman cited that Cruz didn’t have his full strength on several occasions this spring, possibly from a lingering sore shoulder that bothered him last season. However, Hillman believes these moves show the Royals are dedicated to winning now and will not settle for giving away any victories.
October Birthdays: Happy 26th, Zack!
It’s time to take a look at our Royals birthdays for October. Fans started calling newly crowned Sporting News A.L. Pitcher of the Year Zack Greinke’s starts “Greinke Day” and wishing other Royals fans a “Happy Greinke Day.” Today is the Happy Greinke Day - Zack turns 26!
Fellow celebrants include Judge Judy (67) and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (60). Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel was born on this day in 1833.
Royals all-time win leader Paul Splittorff turned 63 on October 8. Splitt shares his day with Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee fame (70), Chevy Chase (66) and Matt Damon (39).
Royals Hall of Famer Fred Patek celebrated his 65th birthday on October 9. Celebrity birthdays include Sharon Osbourne (57) and Quantam Leap’s Scott Bakula (55). The late John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940.
Juan Cruz turned 31 on October 15. Juan shares his day with former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca (85) and Hall of Famer Jim Palmer (64). Cable chef Emeril Lagasse and former Dutchess of York Sarah Ferguson both turned 50.
Anthony Lerew will be 27 on October 28. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates turns 54 while Julia Roberts will celebrate her 42nd birthday.
Mike Jacobs wraps up our birthdays. Mike turns 29 on October 30. Other celebrants on the day before Halloween include Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick (70) and Henry Winkler. The Fonz will be 64. Around the Horn wishes Mike a happy birthday and two thumbs up!
Recent birthday blog entries:
September: http://royals.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/09/september_birthdays.html
August: http://royals.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/august_birthdays.html
Trey Hillman Media Session: September 23
Meet Mr. Lerew
The mystery surrounding Thursday’s starter against the Boston Red Sox is officially over. Say hello to #54 Anthony Lerew, previously the ace of the Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Lerew, 26, has pitched sparingly in three previous seasons with the Atlanta Braves compiling a 0-2 record with an 8.31 ERA. He was signed by the Royals in Spring Training and collected a 10-6 record while pitching for Northwest Arkansas and then went 2-0 in the playoffs for the Naturals. What can we expect from Mr. Lerew? Manager Trey Hillman says he hears good things about Anthony. “I’ll be honest, I have not even seen him pitch to a live batter, nor have I seen him even throw a bullpen session, but I hear good things about him. He is a big, strong kid who has good command and solid stuff. Anthony has experience in the big leagues which is important. It will be interesting, and as you see him for the first time, I will be doing the same.”
Injury Report
LHP Dusty Hughes-Feeling better, will be missing Thursday’s scheduled start but plans on a bullpen session. If and when he returns, look for him to return to the bullpen.
RHP Juan Cruz-Off the DL should be available as soon as tomorrow for the final game of the series against the Boston Red Sox.
LHP John Bale-Has been throwing batting practice, multiple bullpen sessions are in order leading him to eventually throw to live batting. Hillman and the club continue to be very cautious with this lefty reliever, so there is not a guarantee he will pitch again this season.
RHP Kyle Farnsworth-Continues to be suffering from a sore lower shoulder (back), team is hoping to use his services before the end of the season, but again the cautious approach is being taken with Kyle.
LHP Bruce Chen-Done for the season and put on 60 day DL with torn left oblique muscle.
Trey Hillman Pregame Media Session: Tejeda, Cruz
Round 2!
Royals pitcher Robinson Tejeda is looking to keep the momentum going tonight against the Detroit Tigers after his very impressive outing vs. Los Angeles last Friday night (5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO). This will be his second start of the season, so Manager Trey Hillman says this start should be a little different. “I don’t anticipate a different outcome with his performance, it’s how his body responds to the pressure of starting two games in six days that should be interesting. We are going to monitor him like any other pitcher on this team, but will be watching closely to see how he recovers more so than with other starters. Again, we are not putting a pitch count on Robinson, but we will be watching to see how he is feeling as he gets closer to 80-85 pitches, if that so happens. This is the first time in quite a while he will be making consecutive starts, so it is important to see how his body rebounds and that he conveys to us how he is feeling at that time.
Juan Cruz
Royals reliever Juan Cruz has been on the Disabled List since August 6 with a right shoulder strain, but he might be back sooner then later according to Hillman. “He has had a couple of bullpen sessions that consisted of a heavy diet of nothing but fastballs. Juan has been throwing long toss without discomfort or pain in that shoulder which is encouraging. We are trying to increase the strength in that right shoulder so we can get him in the bullpen on back-to-back days, which is critical. I don’t know when he will be available, but once we see that shoulder can withstand continued pressure for consistent days in a row, then we’ll know he is ready, but until then, he’s just rehabbing at a pace our team is comfortable with.”
Danny Duffy named to U.S. squad for Futures Game
Royals prospect Danny Duffy, currently a member of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, will play for the U.S. squad at the Futures Game, to be held on July 12 in St. Louis as part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Duffy, KC’s second-round pick in 2007, is 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA this season. He ranks fourth in the Carolina League with 66 strikeouts. He pitched a scoreless inning at the California/Carolina League All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Current Royals John Buck, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Zack Greinke and Luke Hochevar have represented the U.S. squad in previous Futures Games. Buck was with the Houston organization when he played in the 2002 Futures Game. Butler took home MVP honors in 2006, becoming the second straight Royal to do so after Justin Huber won in 2005.
Catcher Miguel Olivo played for the World Team in 2000 while in the Oakland system and reliever Juan Cruz represented the World Team in 2001 while he was in the Cubs organization. Right-handed pitcher Julio Pimentel, currently on the 40-man roster, played for the World squad in last year’s contest.
Congratulations to Danny on this honor and best of luck on July 12!
Cruz-ing into Kansas City
What a day to be a sports fan in Kansas City! Our neighbors at Arrowhead traded for a quarterback and linebacker, and the Royals just made an impact acquisition of their own by signing free agent right-hander Juan Cruz to a two-year deal with a club option for 2011. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals designated infielder Esteban German for assignment.
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