...unless your name is Jeff Heaverlo, in which case you're presently looking for a job. The seven-year organizational vet was released outright today after allowing nine runs in 2.1 ST innings, while ten other players were either optioned or sent to minor league camp. Back in 2001, Heaverlo was my favorite prospect in the system (not the best, but still my favorite), but he hasn't been close to the same pitcher since returning from labrum surgery that cost him the entire 2002 season. Now 28 years old, he needs to hope that someone takes a liking to his background and 2.02 GB/FB ratio if he wants to have any chance of carving out a career for himself. More likely, we never hear his name again.
None of the other guys who were cut from camp came as any surprise, with the biggest names being Travis Blackley and Marcos Carvajal (optioned to Tacoma and San Antonio, respectively). We'll see one of them again before long. Quick, guess which!
On the field, the Mariners beat the Royals by a score of 4-3. Jarrod Washburn was effective in limiting Kansas City to one hit over four innings, although he also led both teams in "extra-base hits allowed to Joe McEwing". As far as the offense was concerned, Steroid McGee smacked a pair of doubles and Greg Dobbs used a 2-4 day to up his batting average to .nobodycaresgoaway. Raul Ibanez collected two of the lineup's three RBI courtesy of a single and a sac fly. Is anyone else wondering why a guy whose contract extension was very clearly a PR move more than anything else is conspicuously absent from this year's team commercials? I guess he could've been the guy belting the Richie Sexson folk song off-camera, but I can't really see that voice coming from that body.
If you're looking for some throwaway reading to pass the time, here's a feature piece on Yuniesky Betancourt, who's so exciting that earlier today he got caught stealing for the third time this month. My favorite part has to be this:
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Mike Morse, Adam Jones, and Matt Tuiasosopo are uniformly awful defensive shortstops.
No game tomorrow.