M’s expect Olivo will get better
Given their needs and the offers they got for Freddy Garcia in June, few argued when the Seattle Mariners made the trade for catcher Miguel Olivo, minor league outfielder Jeremy Reed and a low minors infielder.
Reed is tearing it up in Tacoma; Garcia began the day in Chicago with a 10-10 record.
And Olivo? In his first 27 games with the Mariners, he batted .239 with four home runs and 12 RBI. The team thinks he’ll hit better. The team is certain of one thing. Olivo must catch better to be the Mariners’ future behind the plate.
In those 27 games, Olivo has six passed balls — something both he and his manager are aware of.
“It’s something that plays with your confidence back there,” former catcher Bob Melvin said. “It’s a matter of footwork, following the ball a little more. It’s nothing he can’t take care of, especially once he has more time with the pitching staff.”
Melvin said Olivo has the tools to be a great catcher — the arm, the soft hands, the ability to study hitters for weaknesses.
“What he needs now is about 10 games without a passed ball to get his confidence back,” Melvin said. “Part of it is experience with the staff, no question, and part of it is something we need to work with Miguel on.
“The problem is there’s a limit to how much we can do about either until spring training. He’ll be a much more confident catcher next year than this.”
Eldred adjusts to reliever role
Right-hander Cal Eldred came to the St. Louis Cardinals in the spring of 2003 looking to compete for a spot in the rotation. Before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, he had been a productive starter for the Brewers, and won 10 games for the White Sox in 2000.
But he quickly settled into long relief, and lately has been one of the more reliable members of the bullpen. He assumed a more prominent role after injuries befell Mike Lincoln and Kiko Calero, appearing in 17 of the last 37 games. He’s allowed runs in only eight of his last 29 appearances.
“I believe being a starting pitcher in the big leagues is the best job in America,” Eldred said. “Being a realist, this is where I am and this is what I need to do to help the team. So it’s what I’m doing.”
Wrigley passes inspections
The city of Chicago gave the Cubs the go-ahead to play ball at Wrigley Field Monday night after the stadium passed another round of inspections of repair work done on its crumbling upper deck.
Chunks of concrete fell from the deck of the 90-year-old ballpark on at least three occasions since June, forcing officials to install protective nets and inspect the upper deck and mezzanine levels.
“I can say at this point we found no evidence of shoddy repairs and the Cubs can play tonight’s game,” buildings commissioner Stan Kaderbek said.
Clearing the bases
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension for his part in a bench-clearing brawl with the Yankees last month. … Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra missed Monday’s game against the Brewers because of a strained left wrist and his status is day to day. … The Pirates placed pitchers Kip Wells and Sean Burnett on the 15-day disabled list. Wells has right elbow inflammation and Burnett has an inflamed left elbow. Pittsburgh also recalled right-handed pitcher John Van Benschoten and purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Frank Brooks from its Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. … The Rangers activated right-hander R.A. Dickey from the DL and placed left-hander Erasmo Ramirez on the 15-day DL retroactive to Aug. 17.