Friday, February 24, 2006
Notes: Villarreal's arm is healthy
02/19/2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When camp opened, the Braves were looking forward to the opportunity to get a look at Oscar Villarreal, their top offseason pitching acquisition. Now that they've had that chance, they're happy to see his seemingly rejuvenated right arm may be as healthy as it's been in three years.
Villarreal, who was acquired from the Diamondbacks in December, has a chance to be one of the club's top setup men or possibly even the closer. But first he must prove capable of staying healthy, something he hasn't been able to do since making a rookie record 86 appearances in 2003.
"I like what I've seen for the past [few] days," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's pitched in [the Mexican Winter League]. But his arm looks fine."
Villarreal, who has appeared in a total of 28 games over the past two seasons because of injuries to his elbow and shoulder, has told Cox he plans to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. If he does, he'll leave Braves camp on March 2 to join his national team.
While Cox would like to get as many looks as possible at his new right-handed reliever, he understands the hurler's patriotic decision.
"We'd love to see a little more of him early," Cox said. "But if he wants to pitch for his country, that's fine, too."
Villarreal and the Mexican team will be in the same first-round pool as the United States, Canada and South Africa. With the top two teams advancing to the second round, the heavy belief is that either Mexico or Canada, along with South Africa, will be eliminated.
Either way, the Braves will get at least one and possibly a larger handful of their players back after the first round concludes on March 10. Playing for the Canadian team will be infielder Pete Orr, first baseman Scott Thorman and Reitsma.
Other Braves competing in the World Baseball Classic include Jeff Francoeur and Chipper Jones (United States); Andruw Jones (Netherlands) and Jorge Sosa (Dominican Republic).
"For us, it will be fine," Cox said. "It gives us really a great chance to see more of the young kids play."
Schuerholz book coming soon: Throughout his highly successful career, Braves general manager John Schuerholz has prided himself on being very private and professional with business matters.
Next month, when his book "Built to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies" is released, baseball fans will have a chance to see the thoughts and events that surrounded many influential decisions Schuerholz has made throughout his 25 years as a general manager.
The book, which was written with Larry Guest, will also take a look at Schuerholz's entire 40-year career in baseball. He left his job as a teacher to join the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and then began his ascent toward the top of his profession.
"It's not a criticism or a critique," Schuerholz said. "It's just sort of a broad stroke observation of my 40-year career."
Along with possibly taking a few jabs at agents, such as Scott Boras, the book will also give fans a chance to have an inside look at how he completed some trades and signed top free agents.
When Schuerholz began writing the book, he was thinking he was nearing retirement. But he's gotten a second wind and will continue serving as the Braves' GM through at least the 2007 season.
"I'm still doing this and I still enjoy it," Schuerholz said.
Braves bits: Braves pitchers will begin throwing batting practice for 10 minutes on Monday. During the first three days of camp, they have been throwing off the mound for five minutes. ... Newly acquired right-handed reliever Armando Almanzar reported to camp on Friday wearing beads around his neck and braided hair. He was told to immediately lose the beads and by Sunday had a clean, closely shaved haircut. ... Left-handed reliever John Foster got married in Costa Rica in early January and remained there for the next two weeks.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When camp opened, the Braves were looking forward to the opportunity to get a look at Oscar Villarreal, their top offseason pitching acquisition. Now that they've had that chance, they're happy to see his seemingly rejuvenated right arm may be as healthy as it's been in three years.
Villarreal, who was acquired from the Diamondbacks in December, has a chance to be one of the club's top setup men or possibly even the closer. But first he must prove capable of staying healthy, something he hasn't been able to do since making a rookie record 86 appearances in 2003.
"I like what I've seen for the past [few] days," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's pitched in [the Mexican Winter League]. But his arm looks fine."
Villarreal, who has appeared in a total of 28 games over the past two seasons because of injuries to his elbow and shoulder, has told Cox he plans to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. If he does, he'll leave Braves camp on March 2 to join his national team.
While Cox would like to get as many looks as possible at his new right-handed reliever, he understands the hurler's patriotic decision.
"We'd love to see a little more of him early," Cox said. "But if he wants to pitch for his country, that's fine, too."
Villarreal and the Mexican team will be in the same first-round pool as the United States, Canada and South Africa. With the top two teams advancing to the second round, the heavy belief is that either Mexico or Canada, along with South Africa, will be eliminated.
Either way, the Braves will get at least one and possibly a larger handful of their players back after the first round concludes on March 10. Playing for the Canadian team will be infielder Pete Orr, first baseman Scott Thorman and Reitsma.
Other Braves competing in the World Baseball Classic include Jeff Francoeur and Chipper Jones (United States); Andruw Jones (Netherlands) and Jorge Sosa (Dominican Republic).
"For us, it will be fine," Cox said. "It gives us really a great chance to see more of the young kids play."
Schuerholz book coming soon: Throughout his highly successful career, Braves general manager John Schuerholz has prided himself on being very private and professional with business matters.
Next month, when his book "Built to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies" is released, baseball fans will have a chance to see the thoughts and events that surrounded many influential decisions Schuerholz has made throughout his 25 years as a general manager.
The book, which was written with Larry Guest, will also take a look at Schuerholz's entire 40-year career in baseball. He left his job as a teacher to join the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and then began his ascent toward the top of his profession.
"It's not a criticism or a critique," Schuerholz said. "It's just sort of a broad stroke observation of my 40-year career."
Along with possibly taking a few jabs at agents, such as Scott Boras, the book will also give fans a chance to have an inside look at how he completed some trades and signed top free agents.
When Schuerholz began writing the book, he was thinking he was nearing retirement. But he's gotten a second wind and will continue serving as the Braves' GM through at least the 2007 season.
"I'm still doing this and I still enjoy it," Schuerholz said.
Braves bits: Braves pitchers will begin throwing batting practice for 10 minutes on Monday. During the first three days of camp, they have been throwing off the mound for five minutes. ... Newly acquired right-handed reliever Armando Almanzar reported to camp on Friday wearing beads around his neck and braided hair. He was told to immediately lose the beads and by Sunday had a clean, closely shaved haircut. ... Left-handed reliever John Foster got married in Costa Rica in early January and remained there for the next two weeks.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
