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07-07-2004, 12:06 AM
I love Ken Huckaby!!! :love2:
Not gonna get much from his bat, but his defense is dependable. Plus, I've liked him since he went all out on that play when he was with the Blue Jays and he ran into Jeter. I liked him because it clearly wasn't his fault, but he took the trouble to go and apologize to Jeter......... and he got a cold shoulder from him for his trouble... :hmm: :angry: But I loved Huckaby for making the move and being the man.
Now Javy can get some time off, which he got with the Braves, and wasn't getting with the Orioles.
Notes: Lopez catches some help
Orioles claim backstop Huckaby off waivers
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
With the O's claiming a catcher, Javy Lopez won't be as taxed behind the plate. (Scott Martin/AP)
BALTIMORE -- With Javy Lopez desiring more off days and time at designated hitter, the Orioles claimed catcher Ken Huckaby off waivers Tuesday from Texas. The club will add him to the roster before Wednesday's game with Tampa Bay
.
Manager Lee Mazzilli, along with the general manager duo of Mike Flanagan and Jim Beattie, decided it was best to carry three catchers. On several occasions this season, Lopez was forced to move to catcher when either Keith Osik or Robert Machado were replaced by a pinch hitter.
"It will give Javy a few extra days," he said.
"So that will help ... giving Javy during the summer a couple of more days. The summer months will take a toll. He's had more days off in Atlanta (where he played 10 years) than he's had here."
Huckaby's presence means Lopez can stay at DH or even have a full day off. The 33-year-old Huckaby hit .160 in eight games for the Rangers after being promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 21.
He was designated for assignment on July 2. Huckaby is most famous for being involved in the collision that separated Derek Jeter's shoulder on Opening Day in 2003. While with Toronto, Huckaby raced to cover third base on an overthrow and rammed into Jeter, forcing the shortstop to miss a month.
Huckaby has spent parts of the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Blue Jays and Rangers. He has hit .235 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 102 games.
The Orioles will have to make a corresponding roster move to make room for Huckaby, who is expected to be in uniform on Wednesday. It's expected to be a pitcher since the Orioles are carrying 13 on the roster.
To clear space on the 40-man roster for Huckaby, left-hander Eric DuBose was shifted to the 60-day disabled list. DuBose had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow and is expected to miss a chunk of the season.
"With the surgery, you never know," Mazzilli said.
"But it's the only way we can go right now."
Hairston at second: Jerry Hairston got a second consecutive start at second base Tuesday and batted second behind Brian Roberts, who was the DH. Mazzilli said Hairston has not taken over as the permanent second baseman.
"I just wanted Jerry to get some more time," Mazzilli said.
"I think Jerry's played a lot in the outfield and DH but he still needs to be sharp at second base as well. Right now, I am not thinking about (Hairston at second). I am just trying to put my best offensive lineup out there."
Wednesday's starter: Mazzilli said the team was still undecided about Wednesday's starter against Tampa Bay, but it's expected to be right-hander Rick Bauer. Mazzilli is hoping Rodrigo Lopez can log some innings Tuesday and is not forced to use Bauer as a long man. Of all the Orioles' relievers, Bauer has the most experience as a starter. He likely would pitch four to five innings Wednesday and then the rest of the bullpen would fill the remaining innings. With Thursday's off day and the All-Star break beginning Monday, Mazzilli can use his bullpen extensively.
Farm report: Bruce Chen allowed just one earned run in seven innings and Jose Leon hit his 14th homer as Triple-A Ottawa beat Louisville, 6-2, in 11 innings Monday in Kentucky. Chen, who has pitched with five Major League teams, lowered his ERA to 3.44. Aaron Rakers (2-3) pitched a scoreless 10th inning for the win.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs
Not gonna get much from his bat, but his defense is dependable. Plus, I've liked him since he went all out on that play when he was with the Blue Jays and he ran into Jeter. I liked him because it clearly wasn't his fault, but he took the trouble to go and apologize to Jeter......... and he got a cold shoulder from him for his trouble... :hmm: :angry: But I loved Huckaby for making the move and being the man.
Now Javy can get some time off, which he got with the Braves, and wasn't getting with the Orioles.
Notes: Lopez catches some help
Orioles claim backstop Huckaby off waivers
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
With the O's claiming a catcher, Javy Lopez won't be as taxed behind the plate. (Scott Martin/AP)
BALTIMORE -- With Javy Lopez desiring more off days and time at designated hitter, the Orioles claimed catcher Ken Huckaby off waivers Tuesday from Texas. The club will add him to the roster before Wednesday's game with Tampa Bay
.
Manager Lee Mazzilli, along with the general manager duo of Mike Flanagan and Jim Beattie, decided it was best to carry three catchers. On several occasions this season, Lopez was forced to move to catcher when either Keith Osik or Robert Machado were replaced by a pinch hitter.
"It will give Javy a few extra days," he said.
"So that will help ... giving Javy during the summer a couple of more days. The summer months will take a toll. He's had more days off in Atlanta (where he played 10 years) than he's had here."
Huckaby's presence means Lopez can stay at DH or even have a full day off. The 33-year-old Huckaby hit .160 in eight games for the Rangers after being promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 21.
He was designated for assignment on July 2. Huckaby is most famous for being involved in the collision that separated Derek Jeter's shoulder on Opening Day in 2003. While with Toronto, Huckaby raced to cover third base on an overthrow and rammed into Jeter, forcing the shortstop to miss a month.
Huckaby has spent parts of the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Blue Jays and Rangers. He has hit .235 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 102 games.
The Orioles will have to make a corresponding roster move to make room for Huckaby, who is expected to be in uniform on Wednesday. It's expected to be a pitcher since the Orioles are carrying 13 on the roster.
To clear space on the 40-man roster for Huckaby, left-hander Eric DuBose was shifted to the 60-day disabled list. DuBose had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow and is expected to miss a chunk of the season.
"With the surgery, you never know," Mazzilli said.
"But it's the only way we can go right now."
Hairston at second: Jerry Hairston got a second consecutive start at second base Tuesday and batted second behind Brian Roberts, who was the DH. Mazzilli said Hairston has not taken over as the permanent second baseman.
"I just wanted Jerry to get some more time," Mazzilli said.
"I think Jerry's played a lot in the outfield and DH but he still needs to be sharp at second base as well. Right now, I am not thinking about (Hairston at second). I am just trying to put my best offensive lineup out there."
Wednesday's starter: Mazzilli said the team was still undecided about Wednesday's starter against Tampa Bay, but it's expected to be right-hander Rick Bauer. Mazzilli is hoping Rodrigo Lopez can log some innings Tuesday and is not forced to use Bauer as a long man. Of all the Orioles' relievers, Bauer has the most experience as a starter. He likely would pitch four to five innings Wednesday and then the rest of the bullpen would fill the remaining innings. With Thursday's off day and the All-Star break beginning Monday, Mazzilli can use his bullpen extensively.
Farm report: Bruce Chen allowed just one earned run in seven innings and Jose Leon hit his 14th homer as Triple-A Ottawa beat Louisville, 6-2, in 11 innings Monday in Kentucky. Chen, who has pitched with five Major League teams, lowered his ERA to 3.44. Aaron Rakers (2-3) pitched a scoreless 10th inning for the win.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs