Author Archives: Thomas Todd

SF Giants lineup: Brandon Belt will bat third for the first time in career

 

Brandon Belt is the most controversial player in San Francisco baseball history, World Series era. This sound ridiculous, of course, that a 25-year-old first baseman who is progressing nicely in his career is causing so much heat on the airwaves and on Twitter. Like a heartbroken person talking about their ex, every conversation about the Giants eventually devolves into a conversation about Belt.

Belt’s insertion into the 3-hole is a coup for all of his supporters. It’s also the greatest opportunity for #BeltBash. Today’s results for Belt won’t make or break his career, but it be a moral victory if he sent one into the water in the first inning. An 0-4, four-strikeout performance (like Yasiel Puig two nights ago) would make KNBR more unlistenable than usual.

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Joaquin Arias injury: Giants infielder has appendectomy, heads to disabled list

Giants infielder Joaquin Arias was placed on the disabled list Monday following an appendectomy, according to Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News. Arias was diagnosed with appendicitis Sunday and had successful surgery late that night after playing a full game at shortstop against Los Angeles. Hitting sixth, Arias went 1 for 3 with a double off Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw in the losing effort.

A 3-4 week window is given for most players recovering from an appendectomy, but the results can vary. Braves outfielder Jason Heyward was out for 25 days following his surgery earlier this year, returning May 17th after going under the knife April 22nd. However, there have been cases of shorter recoveries. Matt Holliday took nine days and Adam Dunn took just six to return to game action in the 2011 season.

Nick Noonan has been recalled to take Arias’ roster spot. This is Noonan’s third crack at the big leagues, having made the Opening Day roster but been yo-yoed since his initial demotion on June 8th. Like Arias, Noonan can play multiple infield positions.

Arias was having a decent run for a bench player, batting .319 in 73 plate appearances since June 1st. The 24-year-old Noonan has struggled in his first few cups of coffee, hitting just .212/.256/.235. Per FanGraphs, Noonan hasn’t been a liability in the field or on the basepaths, scoring positive marks in both categories. All small sample size caveats apply.

 

Dodgers acquire Carlos Marmol

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN. LA sends reliever Matt Guerrier in exchange for Marmol and around $209,000 of internation signing bonus money.

Winners of eight of their last nine, the Dodgers remain in last but are now just 3.5 games behind the first-place Diamondbacks. The NL West is the tightest (read: worst) division in baseball this year and a key deadline acquisition could decide who backs into a playoff spot.

Carlos Marmol is not that acquisition. The Cubs designated him for assignment six days ago after briefly running his season ERA over 6.00. The 30-year-old is on pace to set career highs in BB/9, H/9 and HR/9 and his lowest K/9 total since 2006. Primarily an eighth- and ninth-inning guy in Chicago, Marmol was just two of five in save opportunities before being sent down.

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