Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Curtis Thigpen called up; John Thomson to the 60 day DL

Curtis Thigpen called up; John Thomson to the 60 day DL

Curtis Thigpen was called up to replace Lyle Overbay today, with John Thomson moving to the 60 day DL to clear space on the 40 man roster. Thigpen will likely see work initially against left-handed pitching. He has hit well against lefties each of the last 3 years, posting .283/.352/.523, .394/.491/.659 and .320/.394/.459 lines in 2007, 2006 and 2005 respectively.

Thigpen was the Jays' 2nd round draft choice in 2004. Welcome to the Show.

Posted by Mike Green on Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 04:28 PM EDT.

Curtis Thigpen called up; John Thomson to the 60 day DL | 36 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

scottt - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 04:59 PM EDT (#169307) #

All in all, it's a bit odd to see him get the call just a few days before Zaun returns. Or maybe that's the whole point, he's here while Zaun plays with the Chiefs.

So, will he catch? How long will he stay?

R Billie - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 05:05 PM EDT (#169309) #

I think Thigpen is at least here through the Interleague schedule to take advantage of his versatility. It would be nice if he was lefthanded as hitting righties appears to be the weakness of the offence right now, but I could see him fitting in a number of places.

As a second or third catcher, getting some experience and gradually playing there more until the Jays decide they have a better alternative. Platooning with Clark, Stairs, and Lind against LHP. Spelling Hill at second base, perhaps moving Hill to short for the odd game.

Right now it seems shortstop and catcher at the two positions where the Jays might have the most concern for offence. To that end it would seem logical for Thigpen to play catcher when he can and become the utility man elsewhere when he isn't catching.

Gerry - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 05:17 PM EDT (#169310) #

We all have heard that Thigpen's arm is not the strongest. However one could argue that Jason Phillips arm is not strong either so the question is what is the impact of a lesser arm?

Do major leaguers steal more, or are they faster than minor leaguers? I would think not. I see the major leagues as having more big, older, slower players. Thigpen at catcher could be at risk aginst teams that like to steal but so is Jason Phillips. There are a lot of poor throwing catchers in the major leagues, I think managers look more at game calling and receiving skills than throwing skills.

Thigpen at catcher might not have an easy introduction, Tampa and national league teams run a bit more than other AL teams.

Dave Rutt - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 05:21 PM EDT (#169311) #

I wonder if this means the Jays aren't considering bringing Thomson up anytime soon. Given the way he's been pitching, I think he would make a good candidate to fill the 5th spot in the rotation once a 5th starter is required - and if Marcum lands on the DL, a move would have to be made by Friday.

CaramonLS - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#169312) #

I would have rather him stayed down all season, but I guess circumstances are calling for his appearance at the show. I really hope he gets the ABs he needs to develop. You simply cannot have him rot on the bench.

Cracka - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 06:06 PM EDT (#169314) #

Thomson can be (and likely was) placed on the 60-Day DL retroactive to the start of the season, so I believe he's eligible to come off at any time.

Dave Rutt - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 06:19 PM EDT (#169315) #

Well sure, but if they're planning on bringing him up soon, another move will have to be made, so why not make that move now?

ChicagoJaysFan - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 06:38 PM EDT (#169316) #

Well sure, but if they're planning on bringing him up soon, another move will have to be made, so why not make that move now?

With the way the Jays get injured, they may figure that by the time they want to activate Thomson someone else will be eligible for the 60-day DL. I say that only half in jest.

scottt - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 07:07 PM EDT (#169318) #

Today's lineup:

1. A. Rios, RF
2. V. Wells, CF
3. M. Stairs, 1B
4. F. Thomas, DH
5. T. Glaus, 3B
6. A. Hill, 2B
7. A. Lind, LF
8. S. Fasano, C
9.J. McDonald, SS

I kinda like it. Hopefully it works. I wasn't expecting to see Thigpen starting against a RHP, unless it's a rookie he's had success against.

ChicagoJaysFan - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 07:31 PM EDT (#169319) #

Actually, now that I think of it ... instead of my smart-ass comment earlier, I think the Jays figure that once Zaun comes back, they're going to remove one of their catchers from the 40-man anyway (my guess is Fasano). I could be completely mistaken on this (i'm not an expert on roster rules), but I think that in order for Fasano (or Phillips) to go down to the minors, they'll have to pass through waivers, which is essentially the same requirement to remove them from the 40-man as well, so they'll probably just drop them from the 40. I think Zaun is expected back in a few days, so moving Thomson to the 60 may just be to buy them a few days.

Craig B - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 10:19 PM EDT (#169333) #

Hopefully it works.

I have no complaints at all on that score. :)

JayFan0912 - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 10:35 PM EDT (#169341) #

I think the score shouldn't shadow the fact halladay was shelled, a 3rd time this season, and badly. My guess is that he is hiding an injury, or maybe something is wrong with him. He was complaining in spring training that he couldn't throw the cutter (forarm tired).

This could be a very expensive problem for the jays.

ChicagoJaysFan - Tuesday, June 05 2007 @ 10:54 PM EDT (#169347) #

The Globe says that Thigpen is getting the start at first tomorrow.

PaulE-O - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 03:59 AM EDT (#169358) #

yikes, this halladay issue is really starting to scare me. I can't watch the games living across the pond, but does his velocity look normal? I think he should go back to more cutters and get away from the sinker m-o... which is not working; lord I hope he isn't injured

King Rat - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 05:05 AM EDT (#169359) #

From what I can tell, Doc's velocity is around where it usually is, and he's getting movement on his pitches. His problem last night, as he said himself, was that he was leaving his pitches up, and he seems to think he knows how to correct the problem. I don't know if Pat Tabler's theory that he's tipping his pitches is accurate, but that also seems like something fixable.

Obviously, he has to pitch better than he has recently if the team's going to make a sustained run, but I think there's a reasonable expectation that he will. Whether the team then makes a run is, of course, contingent on a lot of other things going right.

King Rat - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 05:13 AM EDT (#169361) #

By the by, is anyone else excited to see what atrocity Rod Black will inflict on us in his first pre-game introduction of the year? I generally find that the hilariously overblown intros make up, in a small and insufficient way, for the horrendous announcing he does during the game itself. And tomorrow, Black has both a dramatic finish the night before and the pent-up histrionics of an entire off-season adding fuel to the bombastic fire.

Get the popcorn. I can't wait.

wdc - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 12:16 PM EDT (#169382) #

On Halliday, both John Gibbons and Mike Wilner argued that he is also still recovering from the operation. He did come back to pitch after three weeks and looked very sharp in his first start back. I don't know enough about the operation and its possible effects on a pitcher. Is it possible that it might affect mechanics in the sense that one is subconsciously compensating for it? Would it be reasonable to expect that it will probably take a couple more starts before he is right and has sorted things out for himself. As mentioned, his velocity last night was fine.

VBF - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 12:51 PM EDT (#169386) #

By the by, is anyone else excited to see what atrocity Rod Black will inflict on us in his first pre-game introduction of the year?

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers for those poor souls not living within driving distance of the Rogers Centre.

Joanna - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 05:08 PM EDT (#169395) #

The thing about Rod Black that I always find curious is that he seems to hate baseball. There is a tone present when he talks about the Jays, it's very strange.

And I think Halladay is tipping. The incident that really screamed at me was the Mike Lowell homerun in the last Doc-with-appendix start. It reminded me of the Joe Carter HR. Joe has said he knew what was coming. In a postgame interview, Cossentino asked Lowell why he hits so well in the Rgoers Centre and Lowell said he picks the ball up really well here and kinda smiled. I have no concrete proof, it's just a feeling. The Rays were sitting on close pitches. To the video room, Doc!!!!

Four Seamer - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 06:26 PM EDT (#169397) #

Wolfe down, De Jong up.

Some guy named Israel Rammer - presumably Israel Ramirez - dropped from the 40 man to make room.

Gerry - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 06:49 PM EDT (#169398) #

Jordan De Jong was an 18th round pick in 2002 out of Cal State Fullerton. De Jong has been a reliever in the Jays system and has generally held hitters to less than a hit per inning, including this season where De Jong had a 2.31 ERA at AAA. De Jong started 2007 in AA but was quickly promoted. De Jong will be easy to spot in the bullpen with his long blonde hairstyle.

De Jong is another fastball slider pitcher and arguably is having a career year at age 28.

Mylegacy - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 06:53 PM EDT (#169399) #

I'm delighted to see DeJong up!

He's 28! Was a 5 year college guy so played his first full season at 23. He was VERY effective in the lower minors but got stung big time at AAA untill this year when he's been close to lights out. IF he works out we'll own him till he's 34!

Love seeing guys keep the faith and get the chance!

Jordan, welcome to the SHOW!

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 08:24 PM EDT (#169401) #

Ismael Ramirez. Alexis Israel Rios.

Jordan, Welcome to the Show.

I've been waiting for those words for a while...

Sherrystar - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 09:07 PM EDT (#169403) #

Good to see all the yound kids coming up...

But it's June 6th and I'm afraid I'm going to have to say that Frank Thomas is a bust. He should not be playing every day as the ONLy thing he is good for is walks. Not what the Jays paid $9M/year for!

jeff mcl - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#169404) #

Random thoughts:

* is Frank Thomas a gamer who wants to win in his twillight years or a stats-obsessed old fart on a self-serving mission to get enough feeble ABs to knock HR 500? I was lukewarm about the signing at first, warmed up to it as the offseason progressed, and now I'm with those who wonder why a self-professed "slow starter" didn't bother playing spring training games.

* if League comes back and is effective, can we move Janssen back into the rotation? I would guess that after tonight John Thomson is on deck for the next turn of the 5th starter, but let's be realistic: Chacin isn't coming back this year and we're in an experimental mood. I feel pretty good about a Doc/AJ/McGowan/Marcum/Janssen rotation. No lefties, no problem. The results should be there and you're talking about a $25 million rotation. That's just fine by me.

* Thigpen to 2b and Hill to SS? Yes, I know, Hill is potentially a gold glove 2b, but JP will not spend to upgrade at SS no matter how glaring the weakness. Sacrifice some D to get a decent bat in the lineup and send Rolls Royce to the dole queue

* Please no more Tomo Ohka, I'd rather see Jesse Litsch or someone else take his lumps.

Sherrystar - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 10:01 PM EDT (#169406) #

It's too bad that us Jays fans have never seen a star shortstop since the days of Tony Fernandez. It's always been "stop-gap" after that.

It's simply amazing that Clayton has stuck around this long...

It's also amazing that Tomo Ohka is still ptiching in the majors...

Oh well, at least tomorrow's the draft!

Matthew E - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 10:07 PM EDT (#169407) #

It's too bad that us Jays fans have never seen a star shortstop since the days of Tony Fernandez. It's always been "stop-gap" after that.

Well, Alex Gonzalez wasn't a stopgap. He just wasn't as good as everyone thought he was going to be.

Chuck - Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 10:20 PM EDT (#169408) #

The thing about Rod Black that I always find curious is that he seems to hate baseball.

He's a gadfly, and not even an entertaining one. And he knows precious little about baseball. He made a remark about Tampa Bay having a first place caliber offense. Right. A little more humility, a little less arrogance and a few computer clicks before the game even started could have yielded this little chart. He then would have seen that TB's offense is actually below average, let alone first place caliber. But thanks for coming out Rod. You actually make me pine for Rob Faulds.

GregJP - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 04:49 AM EDT (#169416) #

Rod Black seems like a nice enough guy, but as a sports announcer (other than maybe golf) I despise him with every fibre of my being.

Paul D - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 09:41 AM EDT (#169421) #

Speaking of Black, did anyone catch this last night, when talking about Interleague play "Sure, I like the rivalries, the Mets-Yankees, the Pirates-Phileladelphia, the California teams"

And then after De Jong struck out the side, he yelled "K-K-k!"

Kieran - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 10:09 AM EDT (#169424) #

Off topic, but...this weekend marks the season opener for the Bauxite Baseball League. We're entering our second season. Last year, the White Sox took home the championship. Based on the success of '06, we've doubled the number of teams this year. How about some coverage on the 'Box!

Rob - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#169426) #

And he knows precious little about baseball.

What do you mean? He said Jorge Cantu was the best hitter on the Rays. A number of times.

A little more humility, a little less arrogance and a few computer clicks before the game even started could have yielded

the Advance Scout? If it's good enough for Jamie Campbell...

westcoast dude - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 12:07 PM EDT (#169429) #

Mike Wilner figures Josh wil get Ohka's next start in the opening game against the Giants. With Jordan De Jong looking impressive last night, it would be a nice upgrade to the pitching staff just when they need a jet-lag boost.

Chuck - Thursday, June 07 2007 @ 12:23 PM EDT (#169432) #

the Advance Scout? If it's good enough for Jamie Campbell...

Hey, even Rob Neyer hangs around these parts.

scottt - Thursday, June 14 2007 @ 04:57 PM EDT (#169877) #

De Jong wasn't so hot the second time around. Maybe he works better with Thigpen.

Curtis Thigpen called up; John Thomson to the 60 day DL | 36 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.