Bray possibly going to Triple-A

[redsfandan]

Bray possibly going to Triple-A
By John Fay • jfay@enquirer.com • March 30, 2009

SARASOTA, Fla. - It appears as if left-hander Bill Bray will start the season in Triple-A.

Bray pitched a scoreless inning Saturday and gave up an unearned run Sunday. But his velocity was off 5 or 6 miles an hour Saturday, manager Dusty Baker said.

"That's the question right now," Baker said. "He did a good job for us last year. He has outstanding stuff. (Saturday), his velocity was down a little bit. You don't know if that's from overthrowing. He's been checked, and they can't find anything."

Bray was shut down early in camp with shoulder tendinitis. After he came back from that, he missed time with a sore hamstring. Baker thinks Bray might be pressing to catch up.

"I've talked with him about being himself and not trying too hard," Baker said.

Daniel Ray Herrera probably would get the call as a left-hander out of the bullpen, if it's not Bray. Herrera has retired 22 of the 23 batters he's faced this spring.

"Early in the year, change-of-speed guys are the hardest to hit," Baker said.

Herrera is a classic change-of-speed guy - with a five-pitch arsenal.

[TheNext44]

Bray started last season in AAA for the same reason. He did pretty well once he was fully healthy. Seems like it would be good for him. And it would be nice to see Herrera up in the bigs to start the season. He's a great story, and fun to watch.

[JBChance]

Bray started last season in AAA for the same reason. He did pretty well once he was fully healthy. Seems like it would be good for him. And it would be nice to see Herrera up in the bigs to start the season. He's a great story, and fun to watch.

I'd really like to see what Herrera can do in an extended stay. I'd say, if he does well, get Bray back to form and trade him.

[Kingspoint]

I saw Baker's comments.

I hate it that for Herrera to pitch in the bigs, that Bray has to go to AAA, instead of letting Rhodes go. I want Herrera pitching in the Majors, so if Bray isn't ready, I'm OK with that, and when Rhodes falls flat on his face, maybe it's Rhodes who leaves when Bray is ready instead of Herrera.

[gedred69]

I saw Baker's comments.

I hate it that for Herrera to pitch in the bigs, that Bray has to go to AAA, instead of letting Rhodes go. I want Herrera pitching in the Majors, so if Bray isn't ready, I'm OK with that, and when Rhodes falls flat on his face, maybe it's Rhodes who leaves when Bray is ready instead of Herrera.

I would be surprised to see Rhodes fall on his face. I saw him against the Twins 3/13 in Ft. Myers, -----he was playing with the hitters.

[Kingspoint]

I would be surprised to see Rhodes fall on his face. I saw him against the Twins 3/13 in Ft. Myers, -----he was playing with the hitters.

I hope he does succeed, and by that, I mean letting fewer inherited runners score than the average 6th-8th inning relief pitcher does.

[Handofdeath]

I saw Baker's comments.

I hate it that for Herrera to pitch in the bigs, that Bray has to go to AAA, instead of letting Rhodes go. I want Herrera pitching in the Majors, so if Bray isn't ready, I'm OK with that, and when Rhodes falls flat on his face, maybe it's Rhodes who leaves when Bray is ready instead of Herrera.

"When Rhodes falls flat on his face..."?

I'm interested to find out why you're making that assumption.

[gedred69]

Bray is considered by a lot of pundits to be one of the best LH relievers in the game. But if he isn't 100%, the little guy sure is. He was tough again today.

[JBChance]

Herrera has been exceptional all ST. Bray has been good too, but hampered by injury.

The way it sits, I'd love for Danny to get a spot, but being a lefty specialist, he might not be able to crack the roster because of Rhodes and Bray.

I think, although Bray is held in high regard, he should start in AAA and get it together. Worst thing that happens is that Herrera struggles and Bray gets called up quickly. Best thing that happens is that Herrera continues to excel and we have some relief pitching trading options.