Villanueva having MRI, may be on shelf

[dagger]

Various twitter messages that Villaneuva is having an MRI today and may need to go on the DL. Farrell mentions as promotion candidates Luis Perez but also, interestingly, Henderson Alvarez which suggests he would be the next of our better prospects to get to the majors, even ahead of Lawrie.

At this point, Villaneuva's problem may well be innings pitched and fatigue. The MRI is just precautionary.


gregorMLB Gregor Chisholm
Farrell on Villanueva: "You see it with a little bit less velocity, particularly the action to the secondary stuff." #BlueJays
2 minutes ago

gregorMLB Gregor Chisholm
Farrell on Villanueva: "He wasn't feeling discomfort. I think just physically he is starting to fatigue." #BlueJays

[jrsmith]

Looks like yesterday was Villanuevas last start. Also Jerry Howarth was just on the fan, and from listening to him it seems like Alvarez being called up is a very real possibility.

[Trilogy]

I love Alverez, probably my favourite pitching prospect the Jays have outside of the short season kiddies (slightly ahead of Hutchison) but it seems like they might be rushing him a bit if they call him up now.

I won't complain if it happens though, I'd be super excited and just hope that they are right that he is ready for the majors.

[There There]

I won't complain if it happens though, I'd be super excited and just hope that they are right that he is ready for the majors.

I think that is the key point though... if they are legitimately considering him, then I take it as great news that they think he is actually ready

based on what we've seen with Arencibia, Drabek, Lawrie, Thames etc..., I highly doubt they would be rushing him if they really didn't believe he was ready just to fill a roster spot

It doesn't mean he won't the way of Drabek and have problems that would necessitate sending him back down, but as long as they believe he is ready I am pretty estatic about it

[damadmonk]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=alvare002hen

Henderson Javier Alvarez

Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 195 lb.

Born: April 18, 1990 in Valencia, VE (Age 21)

Stats in AA;

7 Wins
4 Losses
2.82 ERA
83 IP
74 Hits
16 BB
1.084 WHIP
63 SO

http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2010/12/10/1867612/bluebird-banter-top-40-prospects-countdown-11-1

11. Henderson Alvarez (Number 5 on last year's list): A year ago, Alex Anthopoulos was calling him the our best pitching prospect and then he went out and added a bunch of guys that jumped the queue on him. He started off his first look at Dunedin great but slowed as the season wore on. He missed a bit of time with a tired arm and finished the season with a couple of appearances out of the pen. He ended up 8-7, 4.33 in 112.1 innings. After only giving up one homer last year in Lansing, he gave up 10 in 2010. His walk rate went up a little too, from an great 1.4 walks per 9 to a still very good 2.2. He doesn't strike out a lot of people, and it is a bit worrying that his rate dropped a bit from 6.7 to 6.2 per 9. I'd pretty much write off the slightly poorer numbers to the arm soreness and getting up to High-A at age 20. I'd think he'd start next year in Dunedin again, but at some point he ought to move up to New Hampshire.

[Randle McMurphy]

I'd have no problem watching Alvarez over Litsch.

[kwamebargnani]

It took too long for them to take Villa out of the rotation. He was already showing signs of fatigue weeks ago.

[Avp115]

Alvarez is the one with the 101 MPH sinker, right?

[number15]

could this also rush a trade for Wandy Rodriguez?

if Alverez dosent perform well in 1-2 starts