Heres an update on the Brandon League arm trouble situation.

Let's remember this is a kid that Brad Arnsberg described to me as "the most baffling pitcher" he's ever worked with. He favors the lower arm slot even though it makes him less effective, and he can't seem to stick with a program that's having success. He succeeded last year by doing what he was told, throwing as close to over the top as he's able. As a result, he gets the 8th inning job handed to him, and he comes into spring training pitching the way that got him sent back to the minors.

Christina Kahrl suggests in this week's Transaction Analysis (which to my surprise is in a roundabout way related to a Canadian) that the Nats should try old friend Felipe Lopez in centerfield.  Good idea, that one.

That Dodgers 1-2 punch should qualify for the lowest OBP duo in MLB at those spots. And not a cheap duo at that.

Marcel doesn't think that Furcal/Pierre is that bad.  Their projected OBPs (.357/.342) would probably place them not that far from the middle of the pack among #1/#2 hitter combinations.  Reyes/Lo Duca are, for instance, both projected to have OBPs of .338. 

That doesn't mean that Pierre is a good choice for a #2 hitter, but the Dodgers aren't exactly bursting with high OBP/at least moderate speed options.  Andre Ethier would probably be better.

So apparently the Jays have signed a 36 year old Brazillian pitcher by the name of Jo Matumoto and invied him to camp. Personally I've never heard of him before, but since its a minor league contract there appears to be no risk involved here. He was most likely brought in to push all the other guys competing for a spot, and in the odd chance that he does well, he could be signed and sent to Syracuse as insurance.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=197343&hubName=mlb

Everytime I hear about the Dodger Andre Ethier, I'm thinking about this guy

Hmm, spindly piano player better than Pierre, perhaps.

Consider this my Friday afternoon Canadian music recommendation.

Here's a photo of Matumoto in camp with the Jays.  The official Jays site lists him at 5'10", 170 pounds.

alsiem, you're not the only one. Do I ever miss the Deadly Snakes...

Here is video of Matumoto:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7zqvOyIOtM

Is Matumoto a Brazilian national, or is he just a Japanese pitcher plying his trade in Brazil?

Jeff Blair said Matumoto was born in Brazil but is of Japanese descent.  Apparently there will be more on Matumoto in tomorrow's Globe and Mail.

I don't think that compares to the Chris Duffy-Jack Wilson duo that the Pirates intend to deploy at the top of their lineup.

Jeff Blair said Matumoto was born in Brazil but is of Japanese descent.

His family must have lost an "S" somewhere in its migration then. Matumoto is not  Japanese; Matsumoto is.

If Matumoto's story doesn't bring a tear to your eyes you're not breathing.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070223&content_id=1813554&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor

Thanks for the link, Barry. It really is quite a story and it was also fun to see that his wife spent some time in my hometown as an exchange student years ago. Here's hoping he can make a go of it and eventually get to pitch in a big league game.

Rosenthal with a blurb on League in his latest notebook:

"The Blue Jays can't help but be concerned about right-handed setup man Brandon League, but an MRI revealed no damage in the pitcher's shoulder and the team believes that his problem is muscular in nature.

League, who turns 24 on March 12, throws 97 mph with heavy sink; his high groundball rates and low pitch counts indicate that he is well-suited for a setup role. Jays catcher Gregg Zaun recalls Gary Sheffield telling him last season, "I don't ever want to face that guy again.""

I'm officially worried about him.

I'm just a little worried too, but I believe that Frasor could fill the 8th inning void adequately if League struggles or isn't ready.  Downs would be another possibility, and while I'm aware that he hasn't proven anything at the major league level yet, I think that Rosario will surprise some people. 

Anyway, League still has well over a month to get his shoulder loosened up, and I imagine the trainers are watching his form in the gym to make sure he doesn't over-work his lats. 

From the Star:

League, who the Jays said had a shoulder problem, is actually nursing a tight lateral muscle in his back. He had an MRI and tests late last week (all negative), and is now getting treatment to loosen up his back muscles.

That's still a little too close to the shoulder for comfort, but it's early in spring training - this kind of stuff happens.

The story on League is that he did a lot of upper body weight training over the winter and some of his muscles, including the lat, became tight.  The MRI he took during the week confirmed this.  He is going through a regimen to get more flexibility and less tightness in that muscle and then will restart throwing.  Because he is a bullpen pitcher he needs less time to get ready than a starter.  I hope that story plays out and it's not a mask of something else.