In what has become an annual rite of spring, I have once again become categorically convinced that Mike Timlin should no longer be pitching for this team.

In years past, I have made similar assessments, typically before he strings together a handful of decent outings in low leverage situations, boosting his numbers and making my claims seem excessive.

.333/.382/.540

This is what hitters have done against Timlin thus far in 2008. He’s essentially turning every batter he faces into Stan Musial.

If I were to predict his fate in the current season, I’d say it will be the same as the prior year, and the year before that. Timlin’s ineffectiveness will lead to him being used in lower leverage situations, garbage innings, and he’ll be OK there. His numbers will normalize a bit, to the point where it appears that he can still be a useful piece of the bullpen puzzle. And the vicious circle will continue to spin.

Matsuzaka Injured

I’ll take “Exactly What This Team Doesn’t Need” for $100, Alex. No word yet on how bad the injury is. The term used to describe it is “shoulder fatigue“. Christ…that can mean anything, can’t it?

Manny on the Cusp of #500

If you didn’t need a reason to stay up late for the West Coast games before, you have one now. Manny Ramirez hit HR #499 last night, and is now on the brink of becoming the 24th player in Major League history to reach the 500 HR plateau. I, for one, can’t wait until he does it, because it appears that the whole thing has been affecting him.

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