Lots of juicy stuff to cover today, so let's skip the usual small talk and get right to the notes from around baseball .
* Apparently comfortable with J.J. Putz's health two weeks after his stint on the disabled list-an iffy feeling given his recent work-the Mariners handed him back the closer gig Tuesday and sent Brandon Morrow to Triple-A. Morrow has been fantastic this season, posting a 1.47 ERA and 47-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 36.2 innings spent first as a setup man and then filling in for Putz at closer, but the Mariners are planning to prep him for a long-term move to the rotation.
Morrow hasn't thrown more than 30 pitches in a game this year and has started just five games as a pro, including zero in the majors, so it figures to take him the rest of the month to build up sufficient arm strength to join the Mariners' rotation. Moving him away from the bullpen is a risk after such a dominant relief performance, but he was a starter in college and with Putz around to handle closer duties it's smart to see if Morrow can give the team 200 innings instead of 60-70.
* Along with sliding Putz back into the closer role and sending Morrow to the minors, the Mariners finally cut Jose Vidro loose Tuesday after he batted just .234/.274/.338 in 85 games. Vidro was once among the game's most underrated players, but now offers zero defensive value and isn't worth much as a designated hitter given his .287/.345/.381 line over the past three seasons. With Vidro out of the picture, Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement may form a platoon at DH.
Balentien was called back up from Triple-A to replace Vidro on the roster after hitting .271 with 12 homers in 44 games since his demotion in mid-June. He figures to see most of his starts versus left-handers and could emerge with decent value in AL-only leagues. Meanwhile, Clement has hit four homers in the past 20 games to show some signs of life offensively for the first time this year and figures to see near-everyday playing time against right-handers, giving him solid upside.
* Oakland had been planning to replace Dana Eveland in the rotation with Dan Meyer, but that all changed when he was needed in relief Monday. Instead, the A's are now expected to call up Gio Gonzalez from Triple-A to start Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason deal for Nick Swisher, Gonzalez is one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball and has 128 strikeouts in 123 innings at Triple-A despite being just 22 years old.
However, Gonzalez has also handed out 68 walks in those 123 innings, which along with a 4.24 ERA and 12 homers allowed suggest that he's not quite ready to thrive in the majors yet. He may have some short-term success, especially given that the Blue Jays rank second-worst among all MLB teams with a measly .685 OPS against southpaws, but don't expect Gonzalez to emerge as a fantasy asset until at least next season.
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* Billy Wagner landed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left forearm and manager Jerry Manuel indicated that Aaron Heilman would be the favorite for saves in his absence, but that may change after Heilman nearly blew a four-run lead. Manuel may try to mix and match Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, and Scott Shoeneweis, but as discussed yesterday in this space don't be shocked if rookie Eddie Kunz emerges from the wreckage as a closer candidate.
* Manager Ron Washington was ready to go with Eddie Guardado in a save situation Sunday and danced around questions about C.J. Wilson's status Monday, but the Rangers' bullpen picture got much clearer Tuesday when Wilson served up a grand slam and revealed that he's been pitching through bone spurs in his elbow. Whether or not Wilson opts for surgery Guardado is now the heavy favorite for saves over Frank Francisco and should be owned in all leagues.
* David Ortiz revealed after the game that he felt a "click" in his surgically repaired left wrist during a ninth-inning plate appearance Monday, but general Theo Epstein indicated Tuesday afternoon that it wasn't a major concern and sure enough Ortiz was back in the lineup Tuesday night. Ortiz is now 11-for-43 (.256) with one homer, two doubles, and six RBIs in 11 games since returning from the disabled list.
* Kerry Wood returned from the disabled list Tuesday with a scoreless eighth inning before Carlos Marmol closed out a four-run victory with a perfect ninth frame. Wood coming off the shelf in a non-save appearance was no surprise, as manager Lou Piniella had indicated that he wanted to see him pitch at least once before handing him closer duties again. Wood looked good enough Tuesday that ninth-inning duties should once again be his.
AL Quick Hits: One day after being scratched from the lineup due to a family emergency, Jason Kubel went 4-for-5 with two homers and a double Tuesday . Adam Jones has hit .310/.345/.452 in 54 games since June 1, but his breakout is put on hold until next month because of a fractured foot . Huston Street blew a one-run lead Tuesday and is now 0-3 with three blown saves and a 6.75 ERA in his last nine appearances . Manager Cito Gaston said Monday that Vernon Wells (hamstring) could come off the disabled list as soon as next week . Jason Bay went 4-for-5 with two doubles Tuesday, giving him a 1.282 OPS in five games with the Red Sox . Victor Martinez (hamstring, elbow) ran the bases Monday and reported no problems, potentially setting him up to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week . A 27-year-old with a 4.60 ERA in 521 career innings between Double-A and Triple-A, Chris Waters made his MLB debut Tuesday and tossed eight scoreless, one-hit innings against the AL-leading Angels . Gary Matthews Jr. went hitless Tuesday and is now batting .130 since July 1.
NL Quick Hits:Edinson Volquez allowed a season-high nine hits Tuesday and is 3-3 with a 5.65 ERA over his last eight starts after once being 10-2 with a 1.91 ERA . Brandon Webb scattered nine hits in a complete game Tuesday for his MLB-leading 16th win . Chris Carpenter and Josh Johnson continue to look good in returns from Tommy John surgery, combining for 11 scoreless innings Tuesday . Dan Haren signed a contract extension Tuesday that will keep him in Arizona through at least 2012 . Adam Wainwright (finger) threw a 35-pitch simulated game Tuesday and declared himself ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment . Andruw Jones delivered a pinch-hit homer Tuesday, going deep for the first time since May 15 . An MRI exam on Todd Helton's injured back revealed no further damage Monday, but no timetable has been established for his return . With seven innings of two-run ball Tuesday, Mike Hampton picked up his first win since August 14, 2005 . After apologizing for Monday's dugout scuffle with Manny Parra, Prince Fielder smacked a two-run homer Tuesday.
