Cramping and spasms for Dickerson
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 26, 2011 
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Quite a day for Chris Dickerson.
In his first game with the Yankees, Dickerson went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI, then he limped off the field with a left hamstring injury.
So far, the Yankees medical team says it’s cramping and spasms. That’s all they can diagnose at this point. Dickerson is not scheduled to make tomorrow’s road trip and will see the trainers instead.
“Let’s just hope it’s cramps,” Joe Girardi said.
Turns out, Dickerson felt some cramping this morning but played through it.
“Probably trying to make a good first impression,” Girardi said.
The good news is that Girardi is “a little bit” more optimistic about Curtis Granderson, who did more than expected and remains a possibility for the Opening Day lineup.
Associated Press photo
I hope for his own sake, that it’s nothing. What a dfirths the new guy in camp. He came in the Mitre trade?
If Dickerson did only cramp up out there, it’s understandable after a cross country flight, to the park early and then playing without much sleep. A concern for a later time.
Once the Montero decision has been announced, the popularity of Frankie Cervelli will skyrocket. Hardly a thread will be seen where somebody doesn’t ask when he’s due back after rehabbing at Scranton / Wilkes-Barre. Almost a daily progress report once he arrives there.
Posey is also two and a half years older than Montero, right? Montero’s younger than me and I’m only 22…He’s still pretty danged young for any type of starting player.
Posey also played in college.
I see the great Montero to the Majors controversy continues to rage unabated.
I think SJ summed up the situation rather well
Dickerson is pretty good, I hope he is ok. I think he’s going to a nice player for us this year
If it’s my opinion it’s crazy, but if SJ says it… lol
I think when Joe G said he thought that Jesus
had improved a lot and looked way more comfortable behind the plate I made the fundamental error of taking that to mean he was “ready”.
That’s obviously not what was meant by those remarks.
He has improved but they don’t think he’s
“ready”.
Oh well. See you when you are Jesus.
Wow – lots to digest and I couldn’t possibly read every comment, but a couple of things.
blake, you had a question of how could Girardi change his tune after such a short time, but actually the first set of circumstances where he basically was thinking out loud about how it could possibly work if Montero was called up as the backup was really the change of direction. Montero showed up ready to go and was very impressive and Cervelli got hurt, so it was natural to start thinking along those lines. We all just jumped on that bandwagon. If they choose to send Montero to AAA, that will no doubt be what they had intended from day one.
***
I sure hope Dickerson was just cramping up due to the stress and fatigue he must have been feeling in traveling and then playing in this game. It would certainly be totally unfair to have a day like he had today and then end up not being able to play. It would really stink if neither he nor Grandy is available on opening day. They’ll figure something out, but, boy, who likes to scramble the last few days of ST?
***
I like the conversation about the ST competitions. I agree with those who are of the opinion that it is a “limited competition,” and I think it’s really the only way to go. You go to spring training with an idea in mind and then it’s up to the players to validate or invalidate that idea. Some players have more to show than others. I do think it was a real competition this spring. And I am quite amazed that all the pitchers involved made it more of a decision than anyone expected. I, for one, fully expected either or both of Colon/Garcia to fail altogether. Cool that neither did.
***
We were out shopping and my daughter was giving us a couple of updates on the game. Today was the first ST game she’s watched and the first exposure she’s had to the Yankees this spring. So she called to tell me “we” (she’s not her mother’s daughter there!) have some new players, mom. A guy named Russell Martin and guess what? Jorge Posada is the DH. It was cute. I thought she was gonna talk about Mitre/Dickerson.
Pat M.-
I would say that SJ know just a wee bit about
catchers and their development.
MTU,
you watch Banuelos? I thought he looked good, obviously not as sharp as we’ve seen him with the fastball command….but his stuff looked very good and he worked out of a couple of situations with runners on. Good last outing all in all….he’s going to be very good.
As far as Dickerson is concerned, will they wait until tomorrow to see how he feels, do an MRI or whatever they do either way?
He did have a good shot to make the team. He kicked off the spring looking impressive, and now he’s looking less impressive.
He didn’t go out and win the backup spot as everyone was looking to see.
===================================================
First of all, your 2nd sentence is the definition of regression. He could have made the team but didn’t earn it. More power to the Yankees for not rushing him.
2nd–He was not trying out for the BUC job. He is not a BUC and doesn’t think of himself as such.
If he was the Jesus we all tout him to be , he would be on the team. Just not yet, although I wonder what they do if Martin is hurt and can’t play the next week or more.
Irrelevant discourse…..Not intentionally overlooking your comments, it’s just SJ seemed to be making the closing argument……
Doreen,
I don’t disagree with any of that….that was the plan all along when they signed Martin. I just thought it was interesting how differently he answered the question today than he did a couple of weeks ago.
Right, Posey is going to be 24 years old on Monday. Montero is 21. That Posey is older and was purportedly more advanced as a hitter, doesn’t mean that Montero isn’t ready to hit mlb pitching now. Second half at AAA = .396/.684/1.080 However, if they want him to work on his catching, gain an extra year before arb, etc. so, be it. Just make sure you don’t wait too long if Montero is in your plans for this year.
Something tells me your daughter has no clue about how much you like the Yankees, Doreen!
Blake-
Even on his bad days he looks pretty good.
I though Romine called for too many FB’s early.
Clearly, Manny’s command was off but he has
enough to extricate himself from jams nevertheless.
All he has to do is stay healthy.
I think he will only get better.
You heard my prediction on him and I’m gonna stick to it.
By the end of this season everyone will be calling Cashman about him.
Unless it’s Felix all their gonna hear is “click”.
Pat M. March 26th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Irrelevant discourse…..Not intentionally overlooking your comments
=====================
That is funny. Did you mean that Pat M?
blake -
Like the rest of us, more time to think about it, I guess.
I kinda think Girardi was maybe a little bit excited that Montero could possibly be ready, which would have been a real nice surprise for them. Maybe that got the best of him when he was talking about it. Plus, as a former catcher himself, maybe he’s that much more excited about Montero than usual?
There was a reason for the Martin signing >>>>
I just thought it was interesting how differently he answered the question today than he did a couple of weeks ago.
==================
Interesting implies hypocrisy Blake. Is that what you keep meaning to say?
MTU,
when he misses it’s generally not by much, I think he has been giving the hitters too much credit to be honest and has nibbled a bit too much which is understandable for a young kid (he’s also gotten squeezed a lot including today on a few pitches)….he’s fun to watch and seems to have a knack for getting out of trouble.
m -
Probably not! LOL
She knows about this blog, though, and she knows I’m a fan. But I don’t think she knows I’m certifiable.
# MG March 26th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
where is the historic justification for a bat ‘stagnating’ by staying ‘too long’ at AAA?
Bernie Williams spent two full years at AAA, he did OK
Jorge Posada spent two full years at AAA, he also did OK
I’m sure there are many, many others who spent multiple years at AAA at had outstanding careers, do you want more names?
__________
Said it simply, by being in AAA, his bat is not advancing in mlb. If you want to rely on his bat *this* year, then you want his bat acclimated. Bernie only batted .238 .336 .350 his first season. Jorge Posada in a season with 200+AB’s .250 .359 .410 Do you want more names?
So, if you see Montero’s bat as an integral part of your team, you want him to be able to make the necessary adjustments. Do you rush him if he is not ready? No, of course not but there is something to be said for giving Jesus time to adjust as soon as you think he is ready, rather than delay.
“Interesting implies hypocrisy Blake. Is that what you keep meaning to say?”
No, I mean interesting means interesting.
# mick March 26th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Pat M. March 26th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Irrelevant discourse…..Not intentionally overlooking your comments
=====================
That is funny. Did you mean that Pat M?
________________________________
Irrelevant and irreverent are totally different words.
Pat M-
Stevie Nicks at the Garden tonight!!!!!!!!!!!
(I will send your regards)
If Cervelli is still about 4 weeks away, best to just put him on the back-dated 60 DL to clear a spot for whatever catcher they chose. If they want/need a 2nd lefty in the bull-pen, move Sanchez to clear a spot and bring Sisco in. He’s about the only bullpen lefty in the system that’s near the top.
Blake-
Having that ability, i.e. to make pitches when you need to to get out of jams, is a terrific quality which just adds to Manuelito’s upside.
He also has “grit” to go with all the other superlatives.
Is that kid awesome, or what.
He’ll be in the 2012 rotation if he stays healthy.
YF, you’re left wondering if they have concluded he can’t catch yet or that he can’t catch at all.
Who even knows if the earlier protests weren’t just to stoke his trade value? Though he didn’t look like a fish out of water back there. How “ready” will ready be? What’s their standard going to be for a player whose bat can win a division for you? Stay tuned.
Girardi better be careful about what he calls
Dickerson.
Sounds like Granderson might be ready by opening day after all
No answer to my question?
What if Martin is hurt and can’t play for 2 weeks?
Who catches?
A good second half in AAA, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s “ready”.
You can’t negate the first half of the year when he struggled. It cuts both ways.
Catcher is the most difficult position to break into in the majors.
Mainly because, the primary job is not hitting. It’s defense and working with the pitchers.
Montero has made a lot of strides in that area. However, he’s not consistent enough to trust at this points defensively.
He still has trouble catching the ball softly. By that, I mean, he jerks his glove upon catching the ball and that often causes umpires not to give that strike.
He also still isn’t consistent with blocking and throwing. It’s better but still not good enough.
Offensively? I thought it was interesting how teams attacked him in ST. They clearly pitched to him off a scouting report because they would throw sliders and off speed stuff off the plate when they got ahead in counts and he did a lot of chasing. Similar to what he did the first half of the year in Scranton.
The idea he has “nothing” to learn in AAA is ridiculous.
He’s 21 years old and has one good HALF season in AAA. He has PLENTY to learn and can do that playing everyday in AAA.
I’d rather he play everyday in AAA, continue to grow as a player, and then call him up when he’s ready.
When will that be? When he is consistently playing well defensively, which he can do, and when he is swinging the bat a helluva lot better than he is right now.
Young guys don’t get better sitting. They get better playing everyday and Jesus needs to play.
That’s going to only happen in AAA for him right now.
MTU, he may become the Number 5 guy before long this season, if the other two flop.
If they cut bait with one of those two, they’ll have a spot.
JAP-
Provoking thoughts. Good questions.
With Montero’s bat the standard for his catching ability would have to be on the order
of Mike Piazza.
Anything better would be gravy.
Can’t see how he wouldn’t make that standard.
IMO I think he will be better defensively.
His bat isant going to win the division for them. That’s ridiculous hyperbole.
On a team with Arod, Cano, Tex, Jeter, Posada, Swisher, etc, Jesus Montero, a kid who has had exactly ZERO major league AB’s is going to “win the division” for them with his bat?
Perhaps one day but, it’s certainly not this year.
On a team with Arod, Cano, Tex, Jeter, Posada, Swisher, etc, Jesus Montero, a kid who has had exactly ZERO major league AB’s is going to “win the division” for them with his bat?
==============
Agreed. Have said it a million times here. We have the best offense in baseball.
JAP-
I think it’s more a matter of innings than ability.
He has already shown that he can some pretty good ML hitters out right now.
He’ll probably spend the entire year in the Minors (at least till Sept.) gaining strength and refining his arsenal.
He’s a prodigy. You can’t teach some of things he already has.
I’m looking forward to his ML debut.
I just hope he stays healthy.
With the offense the Yankees have, we can afford to wait for Montero’s bat. We need a good defensive catcher for now.
Martin was reported to have a tight hammy.
Who would the Opening Day Catcher be if he can’t go?
Interesting how there are no answers for that and I’ve asked it twice?
Now that’s interesting.
Where are all the Montero-huggers when you need them?
People have done nothing but complain about Posada’s defense in this board for years…
… and the same people want to rush up a catcher that defensively is not ready.
Hilarious.
We all understand that if he is to be a catcher, Montero’s catching must be mlb-ready. However, as far as his bat is concerned, I reiterate that he will learn more in mlb than in AAA. His firs half struggles were a result of adjustments and coming back from injury. Yes, agree playing every day, working on catching, etc. are the benefits of AAA; however, Montero’s bat can develop in mlb without more time spent in AAA and to his benefit, not his detriment.
mick – if he can’t go then the BUC (likely molina) plays. why would that plan change because of which game of the season it is? you aren’t putting your catcher on the DL for 15 days for a tight hammy.
ID
You have got to realize that there are alot of novices in here.
Just because they can read and write doesn’t mean they know baseball.
Martin is fine and he’s going to start Opening Day.
Thing though isn’t that Montero could help win the division by himself…..its that when you add him to Arod, Cano, etc it could make a difference. Heyward and Posey made impacts last year as rookies. Montero was certainly pitched off a scouting report this spring and he did chase a lot of pitches out of the zone….but it’s too small a sample too early in the season to make a great deal of to me. He isn’t ready to catch a significant amount in the big leagues and that’s fairly obvious but his bat could possibly help them once he got up to speed I think.
No one here is arguing to rush him *because* of his bat. It is a purely hypothetical discussion bat readiness.
However, as far as his bat is concerned, I reiterate that he will learn more in mlb than in AAA.
No one is arguing this point. The development of his bat is of no concern to the Yankees.
He has to be able to catch, or he has to be traded away. With Teix/A-Rod/Jeter/whoever needing DH at-bats over the next 5-6 years… where would he play?
Molina starting Opening Day would cause apocolypse up in here.
*about* bat readiness
“Who would the Opening Day Catcher be if he can’t go?”
Molina until Cervelli gets back
# SJ44 March 26th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Martin is fine and he’s going to start Opening Day.
=================
OK thanks , now I can go watch the basketball game.
Anyway, it is good news that Grandy may be able to play on Thursday.
MTU,
If he’s capable of throwing the ball 120 feet & can reasonably block the plate, & can get the signs from Girardi, he can catch.
It’s no coincidence that the Mets got into the WS with Piazza behind the plate. Sure I’ll take Piazza level or less. The Yanks have never won the punch & judy way.
Dickey, Yogi, Howard, Munson, Posada. Hard-hitting catchers. That’s how we win.
You don’t learn sitting on the bench when you are 21 years old. You learn by playing, grinding, and FAILING along the way. That’s how you get better.
With what Montero has to learn, if you have any interest in him being the future catcher for the Yankees, he needs to play everyday.
If he does well, they will call him up.
It’s not rocket science. Unbiased observers can see his talent AND thats he’s not ready yet.
Which, BTW, is ok. He’s only 21. It’s not like he’s doomed to be a career minor leaguer because he didn’t make the 25 man roster.
I really want Granderson to get a hot start this year… 35HR should be so easy for him playing in Yankee stadium.
When it comes to knowledge of Catching I defer to people like Randy and SJ.
They have direct experience.
SJ’s nephew is a very talented young Catcher in the Pirates org. who is rising rapidly thru their system. He is facing many of the same challenges.
Who would know better than him what it takes and when a guy might be ready ?
I don’t really think it’s about his bat readiness. I think that he went outside his normal game out of excitement after Cervelli’s injury.
On top of still refining his game behind the plate?
Just showed he’s not ready yet.
No one is criticizing Montero.
And he could hit at the major league level. But he’s not a total package yet, so he’s probably going to AAA.
“If he’s capable of throwing the ball 120 feet & can reasonably block the plate, & can get the signs from Girardi, he can catch.”
It’s nowhere near that simple now…
SJ, I don’t disagree with any of your last post. This discussion is the residual/tangent from a previous discussion on Montero’s bat readiness.
blake March 26th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Thing though isn’t that Montero could help win the division by himself…..its that when you add him to Arod, Cano, etc it could make a difference
///
yea, of course. The success is potentially more variable because they’re another yr older. His contribution could be the difference in winning or not winning.
Blake,
The difference is, Posey and Heyward played everyday. Montero, even if he made the team, is not going to play everyday.
Big difference when comparing the three.
SJ,
True, if Montero could play a couple games a week and get 300 or so AB’s as was mentioned previously then that could have some impact though. Sometime between now and 2-3 weeks ago the Yanks must have decided that he’s not ready to handle catching those couple times a week…and that’s fine, it’s not the end of the world….
ID-
With the way Curtis is swingin’ the bat I think he might just do that.
blake March 26th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
“If he’s capable of throwing the ball 120 feet & can reasonably block the plate, & can get the signs from Girardi, he can catch.”
It’s nowhere near that simple now…
///
I’m over simplifying for a reason. He’s not some uncoordinated oaf. I think he’ll be fine with guidance. I hope the Yanks won’t over complicate this & remember their own history.
Posey actually came up in May iirc. It was only after they were comfortalbe with him and he was familiar with the staff, did they give him the full time job and get rid of molina
I defer to Yankee history. Can’t argue with it
.
mick…..I’m distracted by the Butler game so errors are to be expected…….That being said, you are quite funny though !!!! Erica, enjoy tonight !!!! Do send us your impressions tonight
Right, there was a definite shift in the tenor of what was being said about Montero. They will likely send him down with the qualification that he still has more to learn behind the plate. At some point, they will hopefully feel he is ready to return. A righty bat of that caliber would be very valuable this year. Don’t underestimate Montero’s ability to hit both for average and power. Situational hitting with power is highly coveted.
The Yankees won 3 WS with a “punch and Judy” catcher behind the plate named Joe Girardi.
Clearly, you don’t know what it takes to be a ML catvher if you think the defensive criteria is what you described.
Also, Girardi doesn’t, and isn’t starting now, to call games from the bench.
This isn’t college baseball. Managers don’t call games from the bench. They call pitch outs and throw overs and that’s it.
Look at it another way…….
Joe Girardi and Tony Pena forgot more about the catching position than most people will ever know.
If they didn’t think he was ready to contribute, perhaps greater consideration should be given to their POV because I don’t think they came into camp looking for Guatavo Molina to open the year as the BUC.
# tyanksfan36 March 26th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Posey actually came up in May iirc. It was only after they were comfortalbe with him and he was familiar with the staff, did they give him the full time job and get rid of molina
_____
And had they brought Posey up earlier, they might have clinched sooner. Posey was more than ready.
tyf, tell me more about Sosa. How did he get on base?
ty, if the yanks brought Montero back in May that would work out fine. That would give him time to get his bat healthy against AL pitching.
Somebody once said it gets late early around here. Wise man.
Let’s just hope Martin is durable. I still have my doubts.
SJ,
were you at the game today? Manny looked pretty good besides nibbling too much and getting behind….he throws the ball so well, he just has to learn to trust his stuff and challenge guys.
MTU March 26th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
JAP-
I think it’s more a matter of innings than ability.
//
No doubt, but it certainly could happen, especially as a Number 5. I missed a good deal of Manny’s start today so I’ll be watching the replay tonight. I don’t think his hanging around this long was just purely reward, they’re taking a longer look for a reason.
It’s nice to know the Yanks have him as an ace-in-the-hole option. They may need it.
Blake,
No, tied up on business until April 4.
My nephew was supposed to face CC at the minor league complex. Anxious to hear how he did off him today.
Butler might have this game getting away from them……..Russel Martin is going to wow Yankee fans this season….Come Memorial Day they’ll have a special chant for him……Yanks will be in great shape if Nova can get through the 6th inning on a regular basis, Hughes knocks off .50 off his era, and if Joba picks up where he left off last September……Yanks can be a very good ballclub come mid summer
SJ,
oh man…he’s faced some of the best this spring huh.
If Martin stays healthy, that would be big. Regardless of what the pundits say, I see us as the favorite to win the division.
Later, all.
JAP-
Much as I love Banuelos I don’t see any way
short of an extreme emergency that he is in the bigs this year. He only threw around 100
innings last season.
Maybe we see him in Sept. but he will be at or near his innings limit by then.
2012. Well that’s another story.
Yeah. Double off Halladay, double off Hamels and he just texted me he hit a single off CC.
He’s had a good spring. Hopefully, it translates to a good start of the season for him.
“Yeah. Double off Halladay, double off Hamels and he just texted me he hit a single off CC. ”
that’s great. Sounds good. Won’t be long before he’s up.
They aren’t goimg to use up Banuelos’ innings over the first half of the season and then sit him for until March of next season. He’ll skip days, starts, or they may go to a partial 6 man rotation in Trenton and later Scranton. His innings will be on the same schedule as Betances. Neither one are likely to see NY except on a sight seeing tour until Septemember to let them sit and watch the final two weeks of the season. I enjoy seeing the young players advance as fast as possible, but, that doesn’t mean rushing them before time.
Joba threw a couple sliders today that were unhittable….touched 97.
***september***
Wait!!! Sabathia gave up a hit to a minor leaguer? Always knew he was overwight and over rated.
Blake-
He is looking more and more like his old self.
He still needs greater consistency but the stuff is sure coming around.
Nice to see and to hope for.
SJ, Congrats to your nephew on a successful and healthy camp. Best wishes on his season until…..you know…his selected opposition.
I hope it’s just cramps…………Any word on Feliciano? That’s a troubling injury
Doesnt sound like Feliciano will be ready. Another lefty would be ideal, but Ayala has done well.
MTU March 26th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
JAP-
Much as I love Banuelos I don’t see any way
short of an extreme emergency that he is in the bigs this year. He only threw around 100
innings last season.
Maybe we see him in Sept. but he will be at or near his innings limit by then.
2012. Well that’s another story.
///
I wouldn’t rule it out. Well see. Good one.
Come on BUTLER
This has been an incredible Tournament. What a game! Congratulations to Butler!
:hearts:
:heart:
<3
♥
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