N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, June 14, 2004

FEARLESS FORECAST

Look for the club to try to improve itself by making a trade, either for a pitcher or a hitter. The Dodgers have needs in both areas.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS Manager Ned Yost was in the Braves organization when Nick Esasky was forced to retire because of vertigo. Yost shrugged off the notion RHP Ben Sheets is in similar danger after he suffered similar symptoms last week and missed a start. The patchwork rotation can't afford to lose Sheets, who's having his best all-around season.... RHP Matt Kinney was dismal as a starter but has been mostly effective since moving to the bullpen. He says he no longer worries about pacing himself and is focused on attacking hitters with his best stuff early in counts. SCOUTING REPORT: Sheets and RHP Ben Hendrickson, who was called up to start when Sheets was sidelined, both feature big, sweeping curveballs. However, Hendrickson's fastball tops out at 88-89 mph, and Sheets consistently hits 95 mph with his four-seamer and the low 90s with his sinker. So Sheets can dominate without his best stuff; Hendrickson needs all three of his pitches (fastball, curve, change) to do well. He could be a solid mid-rotation starter in the future but likely will endure growing pains. He returned to the minors last week.--Adam McCalvy

FEARLESS FORECAST

The Brewers have had a good run but will slip below .500 for good in June. In the first seven seasons of interleague play, they were 42-55.

MONTREAL EXPOS OF Carl Everett's return to the D.L. (ankle) is another hit to a struggling lineup. The club had been counting on receiving a big boost from Everett, who has been limited to 16 games, one home run and three RBIs this season. Terrmel Sledge and Juan Rivera will platoon in Everett's absence. They had combined for six home runs and 28 RBIs, entering the week.... RHP John Patterson likely won't rejoin the team until around the All-Star break. Patterson, who has been on the D.L. since late April, continues to feel tightness in his right groin. He has been throwing bullpen sessions, so progress is being made. Patterson (1-2, 3.54 ERA) was a pleasant surprise before the injury.... Manager Frank Robinson says OF Val Pascucci, like most young players, wasn't ready to be a reserve in the majors and is better off playing every day in the minors. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Luis Ayala has abandoned his sinker and instead is relying on his slider as his out pitch. Earlier in the season, Ayala said he was reluctant to throw the sinker because opposing hitters would be looking for it. Last season, Ayala was the Expos' best reliever because the sinker was virtually unhittable. He was 0-5 entering the week.--Bill Ladson

FEARLESS FORECAST

If RHP Rocky Biddle continues to get hit hard, look for RHP Chad Cordero to become the team's closer after the All-Star break.

NEW YORK METS 2B Jose Reyes was given a cortisone shot for his latest setback--a sore back--even though tests revealed no structural damage. No one in the organization knows when he will return to the majors, and even if he does return before the All-Star break, his effectiveness will be an issue.... IF Ty Wigginton apparently will play second base until Reyes returns. Wigginton has played well on the right side of the infield, and 3B Todd Zeile has had a hot bat while playing every day.... LHP Al Leiter returned from the bout of tendinitis in his left shoulder, but the front office is worried about recurrences, leaving general manager Jim Duquette even more desperate to acquire another starting pitcher. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: SS Kaz Matsui stole one base in his first 34 games; over his next 18 games, Matsui swiped six bases without getting caught. Manager Art Howe gave Matsui the green light from Day 1, but he didn't choose to take advantage of it. Though Matsui still has the green light, Howe is putting the steal sign on when Matsui is on base, forcing him to run whether he wants to or not.--Kevin Czerwinski