Nomar Garciaparra - Fantasy News & Updates
Nomar Garciaparra - Fantasy News & Updates
Position:
Status:
Previous 15 - Next 15
Follow MLB.com Fantasy on Twitter
Fantasy News
Fantasy Analysis
In perhaps his last game in the big leagues, Garciaparra did what he used to do almost better than anyone -- crank out multi-hit games. Persistent calf trouble prevents him from playing the field in a consistent manner, and Garciaparra certainly doesn't have the power to hold down a DH job on any team. The 35-year-old finishes the year hitting .281 with three home runs, 16 RBIs and 17 runs.
Nomar hasn't done much in his limited role with the A's in what has been another injury-plagued season of slowly eroding skills for the veteran batsman. The longtime fan favorite is laboring through the worst season of his career this year, batting .268 with three home runs and 15 RBIs.
This essentially comes out of nowhere considering the infielder had batted .222 (6-for-27) with two RBIs over 13 games since Aug. 1 before Friday's contest. These days, it's unusual to see Garciaparra start two days in a row, relegating him to AL-only status.
Crosby hadn't played since leaving Oakland's Aug. 17 contest. Given his .223 batting average, six homers and 27 RBIs, his primary fantasy value has rested in his position eligibility. (He can be inserted at first base, third base and shortstop.) Tommy Everidge, and Nomar Garciaparra to a lesser degree, covered first base in Crosby's absence. Barton can likely expect time at the bag as well, although he'll have to drastically improve his .147 batting average to give himself a notable fantasy presence the rest of the way.
No reason was specified by Oakland's staff, but it may have something to do with the quad injury he was dealing with a few days ago. Either way, the injury doesn't appear to be serious. His absence likely means Ryan Sweeney will move from right field to left, and Jack Cust will start in right. Nomar Garciaparra likely will be the designated hitter.
Newcomer Tommy Everidge likely will be at first base every day for at least a couple of weeks, and for good reason. The bulky slugger boasted a .382 average with 10 homers .
With Jason Giambi sidelined, Garciaparra is getting almost all of his at-bats as the right-handed platoon partner to Daric Barton at first base. Interestingly, the veteran infielder boasts a career .331 average against the Yankees, second among active Major Leaguers only to Alex Rodriguez (.334).
With Ellis out for the series opener against the Indians, Adam Kennedy is expected to move back to second base for the day, with Bobby Crosby stepping in at third, but nothing is set in stone because several variables are in play. A's manager Bob Geren said utility infielder Nomar Garciaparra, tentatively scheduled to start at designated hitter Friday against Tribe lefty David Huff, might be ready to play third base. "He's moving around pretty good in the field," Geren said of Garciaparra, who has been limited by a strained right calf for much of the season.
"He definitely won't start for a while," A's manager Bob Geren said during batting practice, which served as Garciaparra's final test. "It'll be nice to have him to come off the bench with Interleague Play coming up, and we'll probably use him in the field on double-switches here and there." Nomar singled in a pinch-hit at-bat on Friday in his return to action against the Giants. To make room on the roster, the A's optioned outfielder Aaron Cunningham to Triple-A Sacramento.
A tough break for Garciaparra, who first went on the DL with the calf injury on April 29 and was reinstated last week, on May 22. The 35-year-old then started at first base on May 22-23 -- going 3-for-9 with a home run -- but has not played since. It's unclear just how long it will take to return this time around. To take his spot on the 25-man roster, Oakland recalled right-hander Jeff Gray from Triple-A Sacramento. Gray, who was with the A's from May 9-13, did not allow a run in six games for Sacramento following his option on May 14, and he was 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA and four saves in 15 relief appearances overall for the River Cats this season.
Garciaparra's chronic calf issues have limited him to 14 games this season, so manager Bob Geren has decided to take it slow with the veteran infielder. "We're going to be very careful with him," Geren said. "The biggest piece of the puzzle is always how he feels."
Garciaparra, who was placed on the disabled list April 29 with a strained right calf, singled in the last of his four at-bats Friday and was lifted for a pinch-runner. A's manager Bob Geren said Garciaparra will not play every day going forward.
Garciaparra was batting .231 with one home run and seven RBIs in 12 games when he was placed on the disabled list on April 29 with a strained right calf. Nomar's return should spell the end of Jack Hannahan's brief stint as Oakland's primary third baseman. Schroder was selected from Sacramento on Tuesday but did not appear in a game for Oakland.
If Nomar feels no lasting effects on Tuesday, he may return to the A's lineup for Wednesday, May 20. "It's a possibility," A's manager Bob Geren acknowledged. "I'll know more [Tuesday] how possible it is." The A's need him. Garciaparra is hitting just .231 with seven RBIs in 12 games this season due to injury, but the .313 career hitter may provide a pop to an Oakland lineup desperate for offense. Entering Monday, the A's ranked last in the American League in hitting (.238), slugging (.343), hitting with runners in scoring position (.237) and extra-base hits (80).
Manager Bob Geren said Garciaparra, who is on the 15-day DL, likely won't return in Monday's series opener. The skipper hopes to have Garciaparra's right-handed bat in the lineup May 20 against Rays lefty Scott Kazmir. "That's probably the soonest he'll be back," Geren said. "He's going to work out [Monday], and we'll see how that goes."
Previous 15 - Next 15
