More on Andrew Brown, and Springer v. Bonds
From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser
Somehow, perhaps in the craziness that comes with a big newspaper makeover, some A's information filed in the past few days wound up whittled down more than I'd anticipated, so here's a more complete version for those who might have interest:
**First of all, I spoke to Andrew Brown on Friday morning about his shoulder surgery the previous day, and he was encouraged that he had only a 10 percent tear of his rotator cuff rather than the 50 percent tear that orthopedist Dr. James Andrews had feared. That was fixed, along with a small labrum tear, and bursitis in the joint also was addressed.
Brown said he should miss no more than a year and he hopes to be back pitching at full strength close to this time next season. The A's have said they will consider bringing him back on a minor-league deal, and I believe there is a very strong chance that will happen if Brown's rehab goes well.
I also mentioned in the A's notes I filed on Friday that I'm hearing the team might have interest in Ron Villone, the left-handed reliever. That didn't make it into the paper at all, but I'm hoping maybe it winds up as a chatter item. I haven't had it confirmed by anyone with the club, but it would fit with what the A's have said they might do in the two weeks left before camp opens.
**In the new chatter area on today's Sports front, I had a mention of Russ Springer and his interesting past with Barry Bonds. While Bonds was closing in on the home-run record in 2006, Springer threw one pitch behind Bonds, then four inside, the last of which struck Bonds.
I asked Springer about that this week, but his response wasn't included today, and I thought he should have a chance to give his side. Here's what he said:
"I'm not going to say that was one of the better points of my career. But it wasn't what people thought, either - if you watch the tape, I was throwing inside and two of them were breaking pitches. It's not a time I'm overly proud of, but put it this way: I don't think I've ever thrown at anyone (intentionally) and missed."
Villone, by the way, was Springer's teammate in St. Louis last year.
| February 01 2009 at 09:51 AM
Comments
Thanks for the info on Brown. He's a good arm out of the pen. I was stunned to find out he was cut. Didn't know his injury was that serious. Now it makes sense.
Posted By: sfhat_trick | February 01 2009 at 01:22 PM
I certainly hope that the team signs him to a minor league contract. I think a healthy Andrew brown would be a great addition to the bullpen, Ron Villone?He is a poster boy for the notion that a left-handed pitcher can always find a job. He had a mediocre year last year that was just better than his career ERA. Right hand hitters tattoo him, so he is a one-batter pitcher.
Posted By: texasfan | February 01 2009 at 02:49 PM
Who pays for Brown's surgery and rehab?
Posted By: grizzlyadamns | February 01 2009 at 04:29 PM
Springer sounds like an entertaining interview, so for that reason alone I'm happy we signed him. Of course with G back there shouldn't be any shortage of candid quotes for the local scribes.
Posted By: unfazed | February 01 2009 at 08:12 PM
I was kind of curious about what happens and how much the players previous team is responsible in those situations too, grizzlyadams. I never thought about it before. I suppose Brown gets disability, since it was a work related injury. Maybe it becomes more of an MLB thing than a responsibility of the franchise.
Posted By: brian7906 | February 02 2009 at 03:51 AM
Why Ron Villone and not Joe Beimel? If you're going to add a situational lefty -- not that the A's need to do that -- Beimel is younger and has been more effective lately.
Posted By: wbgray | February 02 2009 at 08:57 AM
A's acquired Michael Wuertz from the Cubs today for Richie Robnett n' Justin Sellers. Wuertz is 30 years old and in 262 Major League innings (all in relief) he fanned 9.3 per 9 innings. He's been back and forth to AAA since 2004.
Posted By: thatbootlegguy | February 02 2009 at 10:59 AM
I'm with you, wb. Beimel would be a much better option. Villone defines the word "journeyman".
Posted By: mrbacchus | February 02 2009 at 12:10 PM