Roster activity

A few roster moves have happened as of late, and I'm a bit behind. Time to play catch-up:

1. Cody Ross went onto the 15-day DL with a bruised pinky finger, which he received when hit by a pitch during a strikeout. Chris Denorfia was called up in his stead. Denorfia started tonight's game and contributed a run-scoring double in the late innings. I anticipate that Denorfia will only be on the team until Griffey goes down, but you never know what might happen. As for Ross, I look for him to take an extended rehab assignment for his pinky unless McCracken begins to struggle so severely to justify a release. Stats on Denorfia:

Year/Team	PA	PA/K	PA/BB	PA/HR	SB/%	OBP	SLG	OPS	GPA	EqA	VORP
2003/CIN-A+	530	5.00	9.81	132.50	20/74%	0.317	0.304	0.621	0.219	0.212	-32.4
2004/CIN-A+	320	4.85	6.67	29.09	10/63%	0.416	0.532	0.948	0.320	0.278	17.2
2004/CIN-AA	253	6.02	8.43	42.17	5/71%	0.340	0.394	0.734	0.252	0.235	-5.2
2005/CIN-AA	207	5.45	12.18	29.57	4/57%	0.391	0.564	0.955	0.317	0.274	12.4
2005/CIN-AAA	371	6.87	9.05	28.54	8/73%	0.391	0.505	0.896	0.302	0.280	20.7
2005/CIN	44	4.89	7.33	44.00	1/100%	0.364	0.421	0.785	0.269	0.278	1.9

Chris's stock has certainly risen in recent years. In 2003 he was struggling in A-ball, but something really clicked in 2004 and he has risen through the ranks quickly. Denorifia's minor league record indicates that he's someone who can consistently get on base as well as hit with modest (mostly doubles) power. He apparently has good speed and can steal a base at a decent clip. He is also a plus corner defender and at least a league-average centerfielder. Overall, he appears to be completely ready for the major leagues at age 25, and is only waiting for an outfield spot to open up. My hope is that we eventually move Dunn back to first base and stick Denorfia in left field (or center...but that's asking a lot). I'd like to see what sort of numbers he can turn out in a big-league season, but we'll probably have to wait on that until '07.

2. Tony Womack was given his unconditional release. Not surprisingly, no other team in baseball was willing to give up a prospect in exchange for Tony. We miss you Kevin Howard.

3. Rich Aurilia pulled his groin in the mountainous terrain of Coors' Field, causing him to go to the disabled list. Ranier (Ray) Olmedo was called up to replace him. Isn't it funny that we suddenly have to call up a middle-infielder from AAA, since we don't have enough of them any more? Anyway, stats:

Year/Team	PA	PA/K	PA/BB	PA/HR	SB/%	OBP	SLG	OPS	GPA	EqA	VORP
2003/CIN-AA	175	6.03	12.50	87.50	3/50%	0.349	0.400	0.749	0.257	0.238	2.3
2003/CIN-AAA	27	4.50	13.50	27.00	0/0%	0.296	0.400	0.696	0.233	0.231	-0.8
2003/CIN	243	5.28	18.69	---	1/50%	0.280	0.274	0.554	0.195	0.199	-9.4
2004/CIN-AAA	319	7.98	13.87	159.50	2/40%	0.342	0.398	0.740	0.253	0.239	2.0
2004/CIN	2	---	2.00	---	0/0%	0.500	0.000	0.500	0.225	---	---
2005/CIN-AAA	60	5.45	60.00	60.00	2/50%	0.300	0.379	0.679	0.230	0.209	-2.0
2005/CIN	85	3.86	14.17	85.00	4/100%	0.282	0.338	0.620	0.211	0.232	-1.1

Olmedo, 25, has yet to slug higher than 0.400 in the minor leagues. At his very best, he might be a guy who can get on base and perhaps make something happen with his speed. But I wouldn't count on that. Everything I've heard about his glove has been positive, however. I am a little amazed that he has almost 400 MLB plate appearances, but he did get a pretty long look in 2003. He should be useful as a pinch runner/late inning double-switch guy to spell Lopez or Phillips for Freel while he's in town. Hopefully Rich will be back soon.