– Thunder fans, you can re-live Molina Mania tomorrow. Tentatively, Molina is scheduled to catch seven innings again Monday night before he’s expected to re-join the big league club on Tuesday. Get those tickets now.
– Jose Molina Quotes…
“Everything feels good. It was a good test today; blocking, throwing, running. Everything was good, it feels good. Tomorrow, I’ll catch seven more and see where we’re going.”
When asked if he feels there’s anything else he needs to work on before returning to the big leagues (and yes, I dusted off two of my greatest rehab hits tonight)…
“Not really. Blocking, I was good. Throwing, I was good. I just need to get in there and get used to the big league pitchers again.”
“I don’t need that (many at-bats), because I’m a backup guy and we don’t get that many. I just need to get back up there and catch guys. That’s what they have me here for, and that’s what I’ve got to do.”
When asked about the situation in the big leagues with Francisco Cervelli having established himself…
“That’s not really my decision to do anything. The only thing I can do is go out there and perform the way I know I can. Things that I can’t control, it’s not my decision. It’s their decision. If they want to keep me or not, that’s still their decision. Right now, I’m almost there and I’m almost ready. We’ll see tomorrow what their decision is.”
“The good thing about (playing in Trenton and not Scranton) is everything is close here. I was in New Jersey in my apartment there, so it wasn’t that big of a deal. I like it here. It’s a shorter distance, too. But it’s one of those situations where I need to play, no matter where it’s at, so it doesn’t really matter to me.
About brother Yadier being named an All-Star starter…
“It’s awesome. He called me earlier today and gave me the news. I was really excited for him and the family.”
– Tony Franklin Quotes…
“I thought he did very well. He moved well and had to block a few pitches, which is the test and what you like to see. He said he felt fine, he didn’t experience any pain or trouble with his leg. He’s on his way back, I think it was a good outing for him.”
“I think you can pencil him in tentatively (for tomorrow). It could change. But I think he’ll be back here. Scranton’s not playing, so where is he going to play other than New York.”
“When you haven’t played in a while, it affects your timing and getting your timing back. I think he can get that back. I think he knows his real value lies in his ability to handle a pitching staff, and he’s down here to find out if his leg’s going to hold up on him.”
– Jeremy Bleich made his first start at Waterfront Park, and got smacked around pretty good in front of the home fans.
He gave up five runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks in six innings, and didn’t seem to have his best stuff tonight. Well, at least I thought so. He didn’t necessarily agree.
“I don’t think it was a terrible start by any means,” Bleich said.
“They had a couple hits here and there, and a couple pitches that were a couple inches one way or the other. I thought my stuff was good. I’m still learning, and I’m still adjusting to Double-A. There were positives. There were certainly negatives, but it comes with the territory.”
– Jason Stephens has apparently been placed on the disabled list with an injury to his side. Could be an oblique, could be he’s grown several new ribs. That’s about as specific of an injury report as you get these days. “Side.” Anyway, no corresponding move has been made, although it seems that either James Cooper or Noah Hall will likely be activated to take his place.
– This was what the players refer to as a “show and go.” Basically, the team was given a late report time. No BP, just show up, put your uniform on and go play. Seemed more like a “go.” There were a lot of no-shows out there.
Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com
