The Angel Guzman Rehab Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Arizona Phil said this over at The Cub Reporter:

 

Prior to the EXST game, Chicago Cubs RHP Angel Guzman (on the 60-day DL after undergoing TJ surgery last September) continued his rehab, throwing a two-inning "simulated game" on Field #2.

 

Facing six of the position players not in the EXST Cubs starting lineup (Brandon Guyer, Bryan Jost, Josh Vitters, John Contreras, Gian Guzman, and Dwayne Kemp), Gooz threw two innings, with 15 pitches each inning (30 pitches total). As far as I could tell, his velocity was good, but he was off with his control, throwing only about 50% of his pitches for strikes.

 

Barring any setbacks, Guzman should be on target for EXST game action sometime next week, with a 30-day (maximum) minor league rehab assignment to begin possibly as early as the first part of June.

 

As long as Guzman spends less than 90 days on an active major league or minor league roster this season (and EXST outings and DL rehab assignments do not count toward the 90 days), his 4th option year will be preserved for 2009 So the Cubs will probably want to keep him on the DL through June, and then they can activate him from the DL and option him to Iowa in July.

[David]

It was really weird seeing this thread about a simulated game in Mesa and then reading "Prior" first thing.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'd love to see the Gooz in Iowa this summer. I'm still a huge fan

[rawaction]

Wow. He's back sooner than I expected. He really could be a Marmol-like reliever.

[CubColtPacer]

Wow. He's back sooner than I expected. He really could be a Marmol-like reliever.

 

That brings up an interesting question. Do you bring Guzman back as a reliever, at least for 2008-2009? He was having serious trouble getting past 85-90 pitches before he got hurt, and he needs to make the team next year. I'd bring him out of the bullpen because that gives him the best shot to establish himself in the major leagues for a while, and then if he's still healthy re-evaluate before 2010.

[mul21]

Wow. He's back sooner than I expected. He really could be a Marmol-like reliever.

 

That brings up an interesting question. Do you bring Guzman back as a reliever, at least for 2008-2009? He was having serious trouble getting past 85-90 pitches before he got hurt, and he needs to make the team next year. I'd bring him out of the bullpen because that gives him the best shot to establish himself in the major leagues for a while, and then if he's still healthy re-evaluate before 2010.

 

I like that idea, because he'll be able to air it out when he pitches to get completely comfortable again. Only fear I have is that he's good and Lou decides to start using him like he does Marmol.

[rawaction]

Yeah, I've assumed that if he had a shot, it was as a short reliever.

[RynoRules]

Go get em', Angel. We'd love to have you back up here for the stretch.

[Jehrico]

He could be a major boost in the second half. I say keep him down there and keep his arm fresh for the end of the season.

[Guest]

Wow. He's back sooner than I expected. He really could be a Marmol-like reliever.

 

That brings up an interesting question. Do you bring Guzman back as a reliever, at least for 2008-2009? He was having serious trouble getting past 85-90 pitches before he got hurt, and he needs to make the team next year. I'd bring him out of the bullpen because that gives him the best shot to establish himself in the major leagues for a while, and then if he's still healthy re-evaluate before 2010.

 

If he can finish his rehab after June 28 (90 days remaining in the season), Gooz preserves his final option year for next season.

[CubColtPacer]

Wow. He's back sooner than I expected. He really could be a Marmol-like reliever.

 

That brings up an interesting question. Do you bring Guzman back as a reliever, at least for 2008-2009? He was having serious trouble getting past 85-90 pitches before he got hurt, and he needs to make the team next year. I'd bring him out of the bullpen because that gives him the best shot to establish himself in the major leagues for a while, and then if he's still healthy re-evaluate before 2010.

 

If he can finish his rehab after June 28 (90 days remaining in the season), Gooz preserves his final option year for next season.

 

One part of my brain knew that, and the other part must have wrote the post :D

 

I still believe he should come back as a reliever though. His injury history is long enough that the team is going to be very hesitant to have him starting in the major leagues, and he can actually contribute a lot at the back of the bullpen, especially next year when the Cubs potentially lose a couple people in that bullpen.

[TruffleShuffle]

He could be a major boost in the second half. I say keep him down there and keep his arm fresh for the end of the season.

 

very unlikely. the list of pitchers who have pitched well their first year removed from TJS is a very short one. most guys struggle with their command their first year back - see kerry wood or, more recently, francisco liriano. add in the fact that guzman never was established as a major league pitcher before the injury and it's a huge long shot that he'll be a contributor to the 2008 cubs. maybe next year, if he can ever stay healthy.

[javy knows my name]

Can somebody give me a recap on what he throws? It's been a long time. I think his fastball touches the mid-90s and he may throw a plus breaking pitch. Thanks.

[Roast]

Can somebody give me a recap on what he throws? It's been a long time. I think his fastball touches the mid-90s and he may throw a plus breaking pitch. Thanks.

To the best of my knowlege it was a mid-90's fastball with decent movement and I think he had a pretty good change too? Or I may just be making that part up.

[Jehrico]

He could be a major boost in the second half. I say keep him down there and keep his arm fresh for the end of the season.

 

very unlikely. the list of pitchers who have pitched well their first year removed from TJS is a very short one. most guys struggle with their command their first year back - see kerry wood or, more recently, francisco liriano. add in the fact that guzman never was established as a major league pitcher before the injury and it's a huge long shot that he'll be a contributor to the 2008 cubs. maybe next year, if he can ever stay healthy.

True, but I'm a Cubs fan, so I'll remain unreasonably optimistic. :D

[Guest]

Can somebody give me a recap on what he throws? It's been a long time. I think his fastball touches the mid-90s and he may throw a plus breaking pitch. Thanks.

To the best of my knowlege it was a mid-90's fastball with decent movement and I think he had a pretty good change too? Or I may just be making that part up.

 

Sinking 92-96 mph FB, curve and change. The curve is better than the change.

[imb]

hopefully he can be marmol-esque in 2009 when marmol is out with shoulder soreness all season

[Jehrico]

hopefully he can be marmol-esque in 2009 when marmol is out with shoulder soreness all season

=;

 

 

:flame:

[Guest]

Gooz threw in an intrasquad game

 

0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (both unearned?), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GO-1 FO, 14 pitches (6 strikes), 1 throwing error

[soapy]

hopefully he can be marmol-esque in 2009 when marmol is out with shoulder soreness all season

 

or in the starting rotation... :pig:

[Roast]

Gooz threw in an intrasquad game

 

0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (both unearned?), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GO-1 FO, 14 pitches (6 strikes), 1 throwing error

Sounds like a fairly shaky start. Which is not surprising considering he hasn't played in like a year.

 

Glad to see him on his way back, though.

[Ryno is God 23]

I think the smart thing to do is bring him back as a reliever and then see where you are with him in ST next year.

IMO his real long term shot at a MLB career is in the pen.

[Jehrico]

Gooz threw in an intrasquad game

 

0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (both unearned?), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GO-1 FO, 14 pitches (6 strikes), 1 throwing error

Sounds like a fairly shaky start. Which is not surprising considering he hasn't played in like a year.

 

Glad to see him on his way back, though.

Any reports on velocity and movement? I fully expect crappy control at this point. If his velocity was around the 95% mark of what it was and he felt fine afterward, then I'm happy.

[Guest]

From his two simulated games/side sessions and yesterday's intrasquad game, AZ Phil has always remarked the FBs velocity was good. No word on movement. His control has been pretty bad most of the time (all 3 outings have seen him throw 50% or less strikes). Obviously the control is the last thing but hopefully it can be decent enough for him to make a contribution to the big league team this season. He should probably face non-Cub hitters in extended spring training Monday or Tuesday.

[Jehrico]

From his two simulated games/side sessions and yesterday's intrasquad game, AZ Phil has always remarked the FBs velocity was good. No word on movement. His control has been pretty bad most of the time (all 3 outings have seen him throw 50% or less strikes). Obviously the control is the last thing but hopefully it can be decent enough for him to make a contribution to the big league team this season. He should probably face non-Cub hitters in extended spring training Monday or Tuesday.

At least Angel is in an organization that is experienced in bringing guys back from TJS. :?