Good timing for Marlins' Edwin Rodriguez
Perfect timing for Rodriguez A week ago, Edwin Rodriguez was the manager in triple-A New Orleans. Now he's the first Puerto Rican to manage in the majors, taking over on an interim basis in Florida when Fredi Gonzalez was fired.
Perfect timing for Rodriguez
A week ago, Edwin Rodriguez was the manager in triple-A New Orleans. Now he's the first Puerto Rican to manage in the majors, taking over on an interim basis in Florida when Fredi Gonzalez was fired.
Barring an unexpected change in plans, Rodriguez will lead the Marlins in his homeland during a three-game series that starts Monday against the New York Mets in San Juan.
Gonzalez joked that he expects about 150 long-lost relatives to contact him, looking for tickets.
"I told him he's going to be the president of Puerto Rico someday," said leftfielder Chris Coghlan, "but he said he'd rather stick to managing."
Rodriguez says he's flattered merely to have the chance to be part of a history-making event for his country.
Meanwhile, CNNSI.com reported Sunday that former Mets' manager Bobby Valentine no longer was a candidate. Reached via text by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Valentine said that was "news to him."
The Sun-Sentinel quoted a source as saying Valentine "is not being considered anymore."
Mum's the word
The Chicago Cubs were awaiting word from Major League Baseball on Carlos Zambrano's suspension for his wild outburst Friday. After being separated from teammate Derrek Lee in the dugout in the first inning, Zambrano was sent home by manager Lou Piniella and suspended indefinitely by the team.
"I think until something gets rectified, the less conversation the better," Piniella said.
Hey, look at that!
The Mets think ace Johan Santana (5-5, 3.55 ERA) has been tipping his pitches this season and have suggested he keep his glove lower when he begins his delivery. It's an adjustment Santana made for a while earlier, but manager Jerry Manuel said it wasn't comfortable for the two-time Cy Young Award winner and he drifted away from it.
Noteworthy
Braves rightfielder Jason Heyward plans to have his sore left thumb examined by team physician Gary Lourie on Monday. . . . Lefthanded reliever Bill Bray, his yearlong recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery complete, was called up to Cincinnati, which will host the Phillies from Monday through Wednesday. . . . Arizona righthander Edwin Jackson will get extra rest after throwing 149 pitches Friday to complete the fourth no-hitter of the season, Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. Jackson will pitch Friday or Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of his scheduled start Wednesday at St. Louis. . . . The Astros plan to activate righthander Bud Norris, who has been been rehabbing biceps tendinitis, to start Monday at Milwaukee.