Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Knock, Knock... Who's there?

Opportunity. Opportunity who? Opportunity to stick in the Dodgers rotation, that's who! Yes, speculation has it that Hongzhi Guo will get called up to make a start this saturday for the Dodgers. This is a great opportunity for the flame throwing lefty. Let's hope Guo cleans the place mat when opportunity comes knockin' !!!
vr, Xeifrank

per Rototimes.com:
Hong-Chih [Guo] is the most likely candidate to start for the Dodgers on Saturday against the Pirates, according to the LA Times. Still, nothing is set in stone, as [Guo] allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings in his last start at Triple-A. "He's still a work in progress," manager Grady Little said. "We'll have to make a call whether to get him in there for Saturday or not."

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Stretch!

The Dodgers have begun to stretch out Hongzhi Guo, hopefully in a move that will land him in the Dodgers starting rotation shortly. Brett Tomko who will have his next start skipped, as the Dodgers have an off day, will most likely remain in the bullpen when Guo gets the call. In his first appearance starting at AAA-Las Vegas since being sent down, Guo pitched four scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no runs, striking out four, while walking only one batter. I would call this a very successful outing for the lefty.

* * * * * * * * * *

per the Los Angeles Times

[Hongzhi Guo] will slide into the rotation if his next start at triple-A Las Vegas goes well. [Guo] pitched four scoreless innings Wednesday against Tacoma. He is scheduled to pitch again Monday for Las Vegas, then make his first Dodgers start June 2 at Pittsburgh.

vr, Xeifrank

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Leaving... on a jet plane

don't know when I'll be back again. And so it goes, Hongzhi Guo has been sent down to AAA to make room for Tony Abreu's major league debut. Guo, in his short stint, was shelled one time, and had one effective appearance. Guo will most likely be assuming a position in the Las Vegas 51s starting rotation. Hopefully, to stretch out his arm for a later callup to replace the struggling Brett Tomko in the Dodgers rotation. Good luck to Guo, hope to see you soon. vr, Xeifrank

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Guo takes one for the team

Not wanting to overshadow his fellow teammates Hongzhi Guo took one for the team and got shelled in his first outing of the season. Pitching out of the bullpen, for some strange reason. Doesn't Grady Little know that Guo is allergic to pitching out of the pen!? Guo allowed teammate Jonathan Broxton the opportunity to pick up a hold in what looked like a Dodger blowout and Takashi Saito a save. Broxton and Saito will be the first ones to thank Guo for this opportunity to pad their stats. Let's hope that first of all, that tonight's outing was just a fluke and secondly that somehow Guo and Billingsley can weasel their way back into the starting rotation.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Touched up a bit

HongZhi Guo making his third rehab start in Las Vegas for the 51s was touched up a bit. Guo pitched four innings, giving up two home runs, three runs, walked two and struck out five. Guo received a no-decision. At the moment no Dodger starter is stringing up back to back poor performances. There is no spot in the rotation for Guo at the moment, but with Tomko and Hendrickson in the rotation, that could just be a matter of time.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Guo does his Mark Hendrickson imitation

and pitches lights out in his second rehab start at Triple-A Las Vegas.
From Yahoo Sports
The left-hander struck out seven batters in 2 1-3 innings against Sacramento, giving up a pair of singles. He also hit a batter, but used a fastball clocked at 94 mph and a sharp slider in striking out all seven batters he retired. "I was just trying to get outs today," [Guo] said. "I was lucky to get that many strikeouts. I feel healthy and was glad I could throw my slider for strikes."

When Guo becomes ready to join the Dodgers rotation, which pitcher would be the odd man out. Lowe and Penny are both healthy. Mark Hendrickson has been pitching lights out. Tomko has been decent, and Randy Wolf has had his ups and downs. Best bet is Tomko or Wolf get displaced or Hendrickson comes down to earth. The bullpen is also becoming crowded, as Brazoban will be ready shortly to rejoin the team. Could there be a trade in the works? Only time will tell.