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savafan
03-28-2006, 01:04 PM
How long until someone gets put on the DL for being a clubhouse cancer, or being woefully inept at playing major league baseball?

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9341836/rss

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kansas City Royals pitcher Runelvys Hernandez will begin the year on the 15-day disabled list because of concerns about his weight and stamina.

Projected to be the team's No. 2 starter, Hernandez allowed nine runs -- eight earned -- and five home runs in 12 innings. He also walked 10 and hit a batter. Hernandez will be dropped down to fifth in the rotation, manager Buddy Bell said Monday, a slot that's not needed until April 14.

Hernandez, who led the Royals with eight wins last year but didn't win a game after July 22, reported to spring training overweight. He will start the season on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha.

"The bottom line is where he's at is not where he needs to be," general manager Allard Baird said Monday. "To say we're putting him on the DL because he is overweight, I think that is a little unfair. Does it factor in? Sure."

The Royals, who list Hernandez at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, won't say what he actually weighs. The right-hander has lost about 10 pounds since workouts began, Baird said.

Hernandez lasted 3 2/3 innings in a loss Saturday to a Chicago Cubs' split squad.

"I'm real paranoid about starting him now and without him being in the best possible condition to pitch a full season," Bell said. "That's my biggest concern. I don't know if he understands that or not. We're doing what is best for the team and what is best for him. We don't want to get two or three starts into the season and he wasn't ready.

"We were hoping his stamina would be OK by the end of spring training, and maybe it is, maybe it isn't. We want to make sure. Runelvys feels like he is ready, but we want to be sure."

Hernandez remained at the team's spring training facility in Surprise on Monday and did not travel to Scottsdale.

Hernandez was 8-9 with a 4.53 ERA last season before slumping. He had a 9.45 ERA in the final two months of the season, losing his final five decisions. He also gained weight during the season and went on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain on Aug. 26.

"He hasn't looked like the Runelvys that we've seen at times," Bell said.

Scott Elarton pitches the opener on April 3 against Detroit, and Joe Mays will start the second game on April 5. Jeremy Affeldt, the only left-hander in the rotation, will be the No. 3 starter, and Denny Bautista moves into the fourth slot.

"Runelvys, in my eyes, can be our No. 1 guy at some point," Bell said. "We've just got to get him in condition to where we think he's going to be able to hold up all year."

LincolnparkRed
03-28-2006, 01:27 PM
I don't know about going on the DL for being fat but I imagine the 25th man on most rosters will be changing quite about as players who rely on amphetamines will no longer have "mothers little helper" to get them through the dog days of summer.

cumberlandreds
03-28-2006, 02:35 PM
Didn't Hancock get waived for this? I think KC should do the same to Mr. Hernandez.

traderumor
03-28-2006, 02:45 PM
Of course, the unedited version of what Buddy Bell had to say, obtained by our hidden microphone:

"The bleeping fat bleep bleep bleep showed up 300 gazillion pounds overweight, so you bet your bleep bleeping bleep bleep that he's on the DL for being a bleep. "

Johnny Footstool
03-28-2006, 02:50 PM
Ahh, Royals baseball. The more things change...

Chip R
03-28-2006, 03:19 PM
We should have tried this on Graves last year.

traderumor
03-28-2006, 03:29 PM
Baseball is suffering from multiple personalities disorder. On the one hand, they are getting all self-righteous about the steroids issue after-the-fact, then they are suddenly dinging guys for showing up fat. Now, don't get me wrong, I can see how it is justified and supported the Hancock dealings, simply because he's a fringe player fighting for a job and deserved it for stupidity, and as a potential 5th starter on the Royals, I don't see this case being a whole lot different.

But since when were MLB teams so freaking concerned about whether a guy was fat or not? And are they sending a terribly mixed message, as in "hey guys, no quick fixes, no steroids, no supplements (oh, unless they meet the approved list) but don't show up to camp overweight or we might just boot your butt"?

TeamBoone
03-28-2006, 06:29 PM
Kansas City Royals pitcher Runelvys Hernandez will begin the year on the 15-day disabled list because of concerns about his weight and stamina.


Maybe I'm missing the point, but is being overweight and lacking in stamina a valid reason for placing someone on the DL? I thought the DL was reserved for injured players.

savafan
03-29-2006, 12:54 AM
Maybe I'm missing the point, but is being overweight and lacking in stamina a valid reason for placing someone on the DL? I thought the DL was reserved for injured players.

That was the point I was trying to make TB

Ravenlord
03-29-2006, 04:35 AM
correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't certain kinds of obesity considered a disability? if so, then i'm guessing that's how the Royals are able to justify this.

cincinnati chili
03-29-2006, 07:40 AM
Troy O' Leary was DL'ed by the Red Sox a few years ago for a divorce.

Without recalling the exact language of the basic agreements or the CBA, it doesn't have to be either an injury or disability.

On the other hand, I recall Pat Meares successfully contesting his being put on the DL. I'm not sure if that's because he wasn't injured AT ALL or because his injury was so minor.

REDREAD
03-29-2006, 09:28 AM
Also remember that Wohlers (with Atlanta) was put on the DL for some reason like "Inability to pitch"...

registerthis
03-29-2006, 09:30 AM
Also remember that Wohlers (with Atlanta) was put on the DL for some reason like "Inability to pitch"...

Mental problems, wasn't it? I'm fairly certain you can put players on the DL for that.

TeamBoone
03-29-2006, 12:30 PM
Well, if the DL rules are so lax, I'm truly surprised that more players aren't hidden there for such ridiculous reasons.

Team Clark
03-29-2006, 07:09 PM
Players actually have to sign a form when put on the DL.

blumj
03-29-2006, 07:15 PM
If the player agrees to go on the DL, who's going to object? Do you really think that other teams would want to open up that can of worms?

Team Clark
03-30-2006, 01:57 PM
If the player agrees to go on the DL, who's going to object? Do you really think that other teams would want to open up that can of worms?


Good point. I have seen a player or two grumble about going on the DL but what are they going to do?

Chip R
03-30-2006, 02:01 PM
Good point. I have seen a player or two grumble about going on the DL but what are they going to do?

I asked Kullman a few years ago if a player had to give permission to go on the DL and he said they do. But last year Aurilia went on the DL and he heard about on the radio and said he didn't want to go on the DL. :confused: