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Friday, March 01, 2013

Mark Prior in camp with the Reds

Back to the slag heap?

The minor leaguers reported to camp today. Among them was Mark Prior.

Yes, that Mark Prior.

Prior, a 32-year-old right-hander, has not pitched in the majors since 2006 because of shoulder problems. He’s made several comeback attempts since.

“He called me and said asked for a chance,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “I talked to Walt (Jocketty). (Prior) says he feels good. He feels like he has some unfinished business.

“This is gives him one more chance or a chance at closure.”

Ironically, Baker is often blamed for Prior’s injury. Prior went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and threw 233 innings (including playoffs) as a 22-year-old for the Chicago Cubs when Baker was the manager.

“They always want to blame somebody,” Baker said. “It’s usually someone at the top.”

H/T to Aaron Gleeman via HBT.

Mike Emeigh Posted: March 01, 2013 at 01:59 PM | 23 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: cincinnati

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1. SouthSideRyan Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:23 PM (#4378416)

Prior was in AA with Ben Christensen, so maybe he's there to finish off Dusty.

2. dr. scott Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:31 PM (#4378424)

Prior was in AA with Ben Christensen, so maybe he's there to finish off Dusty.

word has it he has been practicing errant throws into the dugout with incredible speed and accuracy. Unfortunatly he estimates he only has 3 or 4 left before the arm explodes. it will be a delicate balance of practice and execution.

3. Infinite Joost (Voxter)

Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:33 PM (#4378425)

“It’s usually someone at the top.”

Someone should mention to Dusty that he's in the middle.

4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:41 PM (#4378429)

Will be weird to see him a Reds uniform. I'll always think of him as a Padre.

5. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:46 PM (#4378432)

Since his last appearance as a Cub:

December 26, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
October 31, 2008: Granted Free Agency.
January 13, 2009: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
August 3, 2009: Released by the San Diego Padres.
September 4, 2010: Signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
November 6, 2010: Granted Free Agency.
December 15, 2010: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
November 2, 2011: Granted Free Agency.
May 2, 2012: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
August 17, 2012: Released by the Boston Red Sox.

(zero major league appearances)

6. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:48 PM (#4378433)

Prior actually seemed like he might have a shot to come back last year, aside from walking nearly a batter per inning in AAA. He almost made it to the September callups before being released.

7. Gamingboy Posted: March 01, 2013 at 02:58 PM (#4378435)

Finally, Dusty Baker will finish him off once and for all!

8. zonk Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:00 PM (#4378436)

He is/was still striking people out - AAA batters, at least - but his control has suddenly become absolute crap. No idea why that is...

9. Canker Soriano Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:02 PM (#4378438)

He is/was still striking people out - AAA batters, at least - but his control has suddenly become absolute crap. No idea why that is...

I think when your arm is attached to your body with duct tape, it's not as easy to find repeatable mechanics.

10. andrewberg Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:06 PM (#4378444)

He must have battered pitcher's syndrome to keep crawling back to his abuser like that. I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm, he'd tearfully defend Baker.

11. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:07 PM (#4378446)

Since acquiring a dartboard I finally understand the struggles of pitchers with command problems. Every time you throw you have to get your elbow at the same angle, shoulder at the same angle, you have to generate the exact same pressure from the fingers, you have to have your body oriented in the right direction, you have to do the same motion with your legs...

It almost seems like the only way not to screw up is to do every pitch at exactly the same point in your heartbeat cycle.

12. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:34 PM (#4378462)

When Prior last pitched in the major leagues, Barry Bonds was still 32 HR behind Hank Aaron.

13. salvomania Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:38 PM (#4378469)

When Prior last pitched in the major leagues, Barry Bonds was still 32 HR behind Hank Aaron.

Oscar Taveras was still in the larval stage at the Cardinals' top-secret Dominican baseball research facility.

14. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:46 PM (#4378478)

In other news, Stockholm Syndrome proven beyond all doubt.

15. Posada Posse Posted: March 01, 2013 at 03:53 PM (#4378482)

Dusty The Mutilator must be salivating at the prospect of managing Prior again.

16. Walt Davis Posted: March 01, 2013 at 04:50 PM (#4378533)

I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm,

He tripped and fell down the stairs ... yeah, that's the ticket.

17. zonk Posted: March 01, 2013 at 05:16 PM (#4378563)

I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm,

He tripped and fell down the stairs ... yeah, that's the ticket.

...and he deserved to throw 281 pitches in that playoff game. It was his own fault for letting the bullpen be too shaky to ensure an 8 run lead would stand up over 3 innings.

18. Dolf Lucky Posted: March 01, 2013 at 07:14 PM (#4378665)

Look, he's done. Everyone knows it, save Prior and his kinfolk. But on the off chance that he recaptures some magic and does it under Dusty, such that Cubbie Nation's head asplodes...

Well, this is truly a low-risk, high-reward kind of move. Well done, Walt.

19. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: March 01, 2013 at 10:02 PM (#4378720)

##### better have Dusty's money!

20. flournoy Posted: March 01, 2013 at 10:07 PM (#4378724)

Since acquiring a dartboard I finally understand the struggles of pitchers with command problems.

Have you never pitched... ?

21. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: March 02, 2013 at 12:49 PM (#4379163)

They always want to blame somebody. It's usually someone who puts pitchers out there until their arms fall off.

22. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: March 02, 2013 at 06:06 PM (#4379269)

Rany Jazayerli had a great, fun Tweet yesterday after the signing was announced:

"Rany Jazayerli ?@jazayerli
Wait a sec - Mark Prior signed with the Reds? THE CALL, MARK, IT'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. GET OUT."

23. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: March 02, 2013 at 06:23 PM (#4379278)

Rany Jazayerli had a great, fun Tweet yesterday after the signing was announced:

"?Rany Jazayerli ?@jazayerli
Wait a sec - Mark Prior signed with the Reds? THE CALL, MARK, IT'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. GET OUT."

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Friday, March 01, 2013

Mark Prior in camp with the Reds

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