INSIDE PITCH
As expected, it went down to the wire again with the Diamondbacks
and Scott Boras. Just like last time, the Diamondbacks got their guy.
The Diamondbacks and first-round pick Max Scherzer agreed to terms
on a major league contract worth between $4 million and $4.5 million.
The sides had until 9 p.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday night to come to
terms or else the right-hander would have gone back into the draft and
the Diamondbacks would have received pick No. 65 in next week's draft
as compensation.
The deal still needs approval from the commissioner's office before
being made official.
Scherzer, who has been pitching for the independent Fort Worth Cats,
will have to be placed on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster once the deal
is finalized.
Club officials declined to comment on the record Wednesday night.
Scherzer's deal appears to be in the same neighborhood as the $4
million given to right-hander Craig Hansen by the Red Sox two years ago.
Some scouts say that Scherzer, who was a starting pitcher in
college, is more likely to become a relief pitcher than a starter.
The Diamondbacks and Boras took until the final minutes to come to
terms on a deal for shortstop Stephen Drew in May 2005.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, PHILLIES 3: That's seven in a row for the
Diamondbacks, who kept everything rolling on Wednesday night even though Randy Johnson's back still appears to be bothering him.
Johnson threw six innings of one-hit ball, striking out six, but
left after only 61 pitches because, he said, his surgically repaired back
began to stiffen up on him during his final two innings.
The Diamondbacks were supported by Eric Byrnes (two solo homers) and
-- who else? -- Mark Reynolds, who hit his fourth home run since he was
recalled from Class AA two weeks ago.
NOTES, QUOTES
--3B Chad Tracy threw across the diamond during batting practice and
reported no problems, another positive step in his rehab from a rib
cage strain. He'll continue to play catch over the weekend in New York,
and the club could determine a return date for him soon.
--3B Mark Reynolds was back in the lineup Wednesday despite a scary
moment in Tuesday's game when he collided with RHP Brandon Medders
while trying to field a bunt. Reynolds lay motionless on the infield grass
for at least a couple of minutes but suffered only a bruised neck. He
said on Wednesday that his neck felt a little sore, but that his right
foot -- which he fouled a ball off of early in Tuesday's game -- felt
worse. It didn't seem to matter: He homered Wednesday night.
--SS Stephen Drew was out of the lineup Wednesday after hurting his
leg turning a double play Tuesday night. Phillies baserunner Chase Utley slid hard into Drew at second base, bruising Drew's shin. Drew said
he expected to be back in the lineup when the Diamondbacks start a
three-game series Friday in New York.
--RHP Micah Owings logged his first career triple in Tuesday night's
game with a shot off the wall in right field. Manager Bob Melvin thinks
highly of his rookie pitcher's ability to handle the bat: "If I put him
in the lineup hitting seventh, I don't think anybody would be overly
shocked," he said. "There might be some (ticked) off guys hitting eighth
or ninth, but I don't think they'd be overly shocked."
--The Diamondbacks weren't happy with Phillies second baseman Chase
Utley after he went out of the baseline to slide into 3B Alberto Callaspo in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's game. "That's kind of
uncalled for," SS Stephen Drew said. Manager Bob Melvin didn't call the play
dirty, but he did think Utley was too far out of the baseline. Utley
said he didn't intend to hurt Callaspo.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Stephen Drew (bruised shin) was hurt May 29 and didn't play May
30. He is day-to-day.
3B Mark Reynolds (sore neck) left the May 29 game, but he was back
in the lineup on May 30.
LHP Randy Johnson (stiff back) left his May 30 start after 61
pitches. He missed his May 25 start with forearm tendinitis.
3B Chad Tracy (rib cage strain) went on the disabled list on May 16.
He took batting practice with the team on May 29 and fielding practice
on May 30.
OF Jeff DaVanon (left ankle, right shoulder surgery) opened the
season on the disabled list. He has been rehabbing in extended spring
training.
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