American League batters can rest easy. For now. David Price is starting the season in the minor leagues.The Rays probably made the right decision, according to Jayson Stark.
Fantasy baseball players don't understand the move. And Tampa Bay Rays fans have to be flummoxed. But according to ESPN's Jayson Stark, dominant left-hander David Price is going back to the minors. And we here at The Southpaw couldn't agree more with that move.
Look, he has all the credentials needed to make the starting rotation. That said, spending six or seven starts in Triple-A won't hurt at all. Maybe he has to battle through a couple jams. Learns a few more tricks. Plus, the Rays have a deep enough rotation with Scott Kasmir, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnenstine and James Shields that they should be able to keep things together until Price returns.
Here is a quick tour of the sports teams from around the region:
- Baltimore Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara returned with another solid performance. Harold Baines has been inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame.
- Bill Conlin says that if Cole Hamels gets 34 starts and Brad Lidge gets 45 saves the Phillies will be back in the saddle. Cole Hamels was impressive in his return. But it was against minor leaguers.
- Shairon Martis makes his pitch to join the Nationals' rotation.There's some competition for the Washington catching job.
- In news of the sad, tragic and bizzare: The wife of a Pirates prospect is under suspicion of kidnapping. Jack Wilson looks at what life will be like without baseball.
Now we'll take a quick look around the rest of the Big Leagues:
- Oakland manager Bob Geren got a one-year extension.
- Manny hits his first home run. Of course, he's more excited about a flyout. Wierdo.
- The Kid is heating up.
And, lastly. we'll glance at some league-wide stories.
On the kidnapping suspicion article, it seems odd that a 20yr old top baseball prospect would be married to a 43yr old woman.