NL Notebook
D-Backs Have No Certain Order
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Thursday, October 11, 2007
PHOENIX, Oct. 10 -- Players often talk about checking the lineup card when they arrive at the ballpark, just to make sure they're playing. The Arizona Diamondbacks took that to a new level.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]No Arizona player hit in the same spot in the order more than 85 times -- Orlando Hudson in the third spot. Manager Bob Melvin, whose team opens the National League Championship Series against the Colorado Rockies here Thursday, started no fewer than five players in each position in the order. And he warned his team in spring training it would be this way, saying, "We have to look at different combinations."
Shortstop Stephen Drew, for instance, has hit in every spot in the order but fourth and ninth. Rookie center fielder Chris Young is now the leadoff hitter, but he has hit second, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth as well.
Rockies Roster Change
The Rockies made one change to their roster from their sweep over Philadelphia in the division series, activating center fielder Willy Taveras, who has recovered from a strained right quadriceps, and leaving off left-hander Mark Redman.
Taveras, who hit .320 and is one of the fastest players in the game, will lead off, moving second baseman Kazuo Matsui into the second spot in the order. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will move from second to seventh.
The Rockies also moved rookie left-hander Franklin Morales back in the rotation to Game 4, bumping veteran right-hander Josh Fogg to Game 3. Morales started Game 2 of the division series but lasted only three innings, allowing three runs. Fogg earned the win with two scoreless innings.
Surgery for Nats' Hill
Washington Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left shoulder Thursday in Birmingham, Ala. He already had surgery this offseason to repair a nerve problem in his right elbow. The club believes that the procedures will help the 26-year-old, who was limited to 16 starts in 2007, remain healthy next season.
The club outrighted right-handers Winston Abreu and Chris Booker, lefties Mike Bacsik and Arnie Mu¿oz and outfielder Brandon Watson to Class AAA Columbus. Right-hander Jason Simontacchi was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted to Columbus.
