Dice-K and Carpenter on the Mend
Chris Carpenter just can’t catch a break. After throwing seven scoreless Innings in his season debut on April 9th against Pittsburgh, Carpenter was forced out after three Innings on Tuesday with a strained rib cage. Carpenter surrendered four hits, but has still yet to allow an Earned Run this year. Carpenter has dealt with elbow and shoulder injuries that have allowed him to make just six starts since the beginning of the 2007 season. Mitchell Boggs was called up and will likely take the former Cy Young Award winner’s spot in the rotation.
Daisuke Matsuzaka also landed on the DL due to a shoulder strain. After sporting a 18-3, 2.90 ERA, Dice-K has struggled by allowing 9 Earned Runs in 6-1/3 Innings (12.79 ERA). He allowed just 54 Earned Runs in 167-2/3 Innings last year. He just can’t get anyone out as evidenced by his robust 3.00 WHIP. Some may point to his participation in the World Baseball Classic as a reason for the shoulder strain. Dice-K was named MVP of the WBC after winning three games. Hunter Jones got the call to replace him on the roster. Clay Buchholz will likely replace Matsuzaka in the rotation.
Images courtesy of Icon SMI
