Dodgers call up Milton

[remdog]

From the AP:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Eric Milton is heading back to the big leagues after a nearly two-year absence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of the veteran left-hander from Triple-A Albuquerque after their 5-3, 10-inning win over the Phillies on Thursday.

Milton will start Saturday against the Florida Marlins in place of Jeff Weaver. The Dodgers optioned right-hander James McDonald (1-1, 6.75 ERA) to their Pacific Coast League club.

The 33-year-old Milton hasn't pitched in the majors since elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007. The former All-Star is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in seven minor league starts. Milton has an 87-84 record in 10 major league seasons, including a no-hitter for Minnesota in 1999 against the Angels.

Rem

[AmarilloRed]

I wasn't even aware he was in the minor leagues. I thought he was still a free agent.

[Razor Shines]

If his knee is healthy I think he can help the Dodgers.

[Blitz Dorsey]

I don't know why I hate Eric Milton so much. It's not his fault the Reds (Dan O'Brien) offered him the worst contract in team history. What was he supposed to say? "No, please don't offer me this 3-year, $25.5 million deal, I stink too much." ???

That said, I hope he invested all his money in satellite radio or something like that.

[Ron Madden]

Originally Posted by Razor Shines

If his knee is healthy I think he can help the Dodgers.

From everything I've ever read or been told Miltons Knee will never get any better. I'm sure the Dodgers have a few younger guys with better stuff right now, but many scouts, GMs and Managers are afraid to give a kid a chance over a "Seasoned Vet".

[Razor Shines]

Originally Posted by Ron Madden

From everything I've ever read or been told Miltons Knee will never get any better. I'm sure the Dodgers have a few younger guys with better stuff right now, but many scouts, GMs and Managers are afraid to give a kid a chance over a "Seasoned Vet".

Yeah, probably not, but I hope it does. My baseball injury history followed his pattern. Destroyed my knee my senior year of high school, got it repaired tried to pitch in college but my knee still hurt so I put less pressure on my legs and more on my arm and destroyed my elbow. So for some silly reason I've felt a connection to him and always hoped he'd get healthy. But knowing what I know about my knee you're probably right.

[UKFlounder]

Perhaps you don't hate him for his contract, but, rather, for his performance or lack thereof. Don't blame him for taking the contract, but he was the one responsible for how he pitched, which was not good for any sized contract.

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

I don't know why I hate Eric Milton so much. It's not his fault the Reds (Dan O'Brien) offered him the worst contract in team history. What was he supposed to say? "No, please don't offer me this 3-year, $25.5 million deal, I stink too much." ???

That said, I hope he invested all his money in satellite radio or something like that.

[Strikes Out Looking]

I heard someone on fantasy focus talking about him yesterday. They'd seen him pitch in Albequerque and said he was the same Milton but had lost some speed on his pitches. Fortunately for him, he's pitching in Dodger stadium instead of the GABP.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by Strikes Out Looking

Fortunately for him, he's pitching in Dodger stadium instead of the GABP.

Which means his home run balls will only reach the first 10 rows of seats, as opposed to anywhere in the outfield deck.

[CarolinaRedleg]

I hope he's still with the Dodgers when the Reds make the dreaded West Coast Roadie. If there's ever been a perfect storm of "due," it's the Reds in Dodger Stadium. I believe Uncle Miltie pitching for L.A. only helps that cause.

[redsmetz]

Most of the comments in this thread seem like a lot of the "same old same old". The Dodgers aren't dummies and frankly, looking at Albuquerque's staff, Milton had good numbers, among the best of the staff. I've always liked Milton's candor. He took his failure and owned up to it. I saw him pitch probably his best game as a Red in Milwaukee and if he's got anything left (and I fully understand why folks believe he doesn't), then good luck to him, except when he pitches against us.

Past history would indicate that he'll look like the second coming of Cy Young when he faces us, but I'm hoping that ignominous fact collides with the seriously good karma currently traveling with our club this season.

But again, I doubt the Dodgers management or Joe Torre are having the "vet love" that is the knee jerk reaction too often on RZ.

[flyer85]

Milton was bad as a Red and was just an awful fit for GABP. His extreme FB tendencies certainly would have played better in a pitchers park(like Dodger stadium) but I wouldn't expect much. The year that Milton was on the market was an awful year for free agent pitching and DanO had money burning a hole in his pocket and wasn't smart enough to just walk away.

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by Ron Madden

From everything I've ever read or been told Miltons Knee will never get any better. I'm sure the Dodgers have a few younger guys with better stuff right now, but many scouts, GMs and Managers are afraid to give a kid a chance over a "Seasoned Vet".

I expect the Dodgers want to keep the more talented kids developing instead of bringing them up for spot starting. That is usually the reasoning given. I'm just glad its a team other than the Reds.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by traderumor

I expect the Dodgers want to keep the more talented kids developing instead of bringing them up for spot starting. That is usually the reasoning given. I'm just glad its a team other than the Reds.

Its really the reason that a journeyman is kept in the AAA rotation. He is there for a spot start or the glorified 6th starter.

[Vada Pinson Fan]

I saw the name "Milton" on the Dodgers when I was looking at the Fantasy Baseball Pitching matchups for this week and I thought- "That can't be the Milton I remember with the Reds, could it?" And sure enough there he is getting ready to pitch for a team traditionally known for its outstanding pitching. The Dodgers and Eric Milton? Hmmmm, never would have guessed or even imagined a team like the Dodgers would ever have a need for Eric Milton.
No grudges. I wish him well.