Jim Seip: May 2008 Archives

The Revolution placed left-handed reliever Reid Price on the inactive list before Wednesday's game. York signed corner outfielder/first baseman/catcher Chris Ashby to fill its 25-man roster.

Ashby, 33, suited up for York Wednesday and batted sixth.

A .265 career hitter in the minors, Ashby (pictured above) has spent parts of nine seasons at Triple-A. He hit a career-high 24 homers for Norwich in the Eastern League (Double-A) in 1997 but he hasn't hit more than five homers since 2000.

Ashby could turn out to be a great find by Revs head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone for one simple reason. Ashby knows how to get on base. Ashby posted a .361 OBP for Triple-A Albuquerque in 2006.

After playing the entire first half below expectations, the York Revolution pulled off a trade -- sending defensive standout Travis Ezi to the Bridgeport Bluefish in exchange for infielder Jake Daubert.

The days of thinking the York Revolution could rely on a solid pitching staff are over.

Landon Jacobsen left the team without throwing a pitch in the regular season. Pete Munro hasn't reached the mound either. Both have injured arms.

Aaron Myette will miss at least two starts after straining his arm while pitching in a wet, rainy game May 16 against Lancaster. He slipped while planting on his release during the game, causing him to hurt his arm.

Pitching coach Tippy Martinez is forthcoming about the problems.

"It's a tough situation for us," Martinez said earlier this week. "At one time this season we were about second in the league (in ERA). We've had to use guys that really shouldn't be out there."

Former Cardinals and Rockies closer Dave Veres will return to the York Revolution Friday and hopes to pitch that night against Camden at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

That is if the York Revolution still have a roster spot open for him.

"I hope they do," Veres joked when reached by phone in Colorado. “I’m going to throw right now.”

The Revolution placed Veres on the inactive list Monday when he left the team for family reasons. While at home he had his left hip examined by his doctor to rule out any structural damage. Veres is attempting to become the first pitcher to reach the majors after undergoing artificial hip replacement surgery.

Relief pitcher Dave Veres left the York Revolution and returned to his home state of Colorado to be examined by a doctor. WSBA-AM (910) radio play-by-play announcer Darrell Henry informed listeners before Monday's game that Veres will have his hip examined.

Veres is attempting to become the first pitcher to reach the major leagues with an artificial hip. His departure could be a huge loss for the Revolution bullpen. He did not allow a run in seven appearances, striking out six and walking two. He appeared on back-to-back nights last week, throwing against Lancaster on Friday and Saturday in cold and wet conditions. And although he appeared to be walking with a limp, he had reportedly been bothered by a groin pull.

York placed Veres on the inactive list, and it re-signed Revolution pitcher David Maust to fill the 25-man roster. Maust appeared in Monday's game, striking out the first batter he faced in relief.

Right-hander Pete Munro still hopes to pitch for the Revolution this season.

Hampered by a sharp pinching pain in the back of his shoulder when he threw, Munro was examined by team doctors earlier this month. Doctors believe the pain is caused by his shoulder capsule pushing against his labrum. Doctors recommended a stretching program, and told Munro if he didn't notice a change after stretching that he may have a tear in his labrum.

Munro has started the stretching program and threw 20 pitches away from the mound today without pain.

"Right now it feels great," he said. "I've got more range of motion."

The York Revolution re-signed a familiar name Friday, welcoming back right-handed starter Dave Gil.

Gil had an injury-plagued season with York last year, but looked impressive in his few starts. Gil may have been York's best starter last season, but he suffered cuts to his hand when he fell during a fishing trip at the end of spring training. When he returned to the mound he went 2-4 with a 3.43 ERA in nine games. He struck out 46 and walked 14. But his season ended when a line drive struck him on the foot in a start against Newark June 30, 2007.

Gil underwent surgery and had a titanium permanent plate and seven screws placed in his foot to stabilize the bone.

To make room for Gil on the 25-man roster, York placed pitcher Pete Munro -- who has not appeared in a game this season -- on the disabled list. According to Revs Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone, Munro will be on the seven-day DL.