Chris Duffy on "Rehab" Assignment in Altoona

by Charlie on Jun 15, 2008 9:20 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

It's not a big deal or anything, but I wonder what's going on here:

Chris Duffy, who had surgery on his left shoulder Aug. 31 of last year, will begin a rehabilitation assignment with Class AA Altoona today at Connecticut.

The center fielder, whom the Pirates had expected to be game-ready in early April, had a few setbacks and continued to rehab in Extended Spring in Bradenton, Fla.

What does "rehab" mean for a player like Duffy? If they're just planning on sending him to Indianapolis, why have him "rehab" in Altoona, which is only a rung lower? Why not just send him to Indianapolis? I'd thought that Duffy would just wind up at Indianapolis for a while, but the fact that they didn't just send him there makes me wonder if they might clear a spot for him in Pittsburgh soon. One paper reports that Duffy will be with Altoona for quite a while, but I wouldn't be surprised if that weren't the case. This is idle speculation all the way, but I wonder what's going on here.

The same article reports that the Bucs have signed three more draft picks, including ninth-rounder Matt Hague. The other two guys were the Pirates' 48th- and 50th-round picks.

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CF?

He’ll have the most value (2 bags of balls instead of 1) if he shows he’s still a CF. That’s my only guess. As long as he’s been out, I would have thought they’d start him at Bradenton.

by azibuck on Jun 15, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Charlie

Won`t it be easier for him to get CF time and ABs at Altoona than Indy? Why take time away from McCutchen at the position or so-called prospect Nyjer Morgan? James Boone is still out at Altoona, isn`t he?

I hope Duffy proves to have some trade value over the next month, and that we are able to trade him for a pitching prospect who throws hard; low minors would be fine.

by patthatt on Jun 16, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I guess that’s one explanation. I think if they’re moving him around to make room for Morgan, that’s a mistake, although maybe this is the best way to do it without bruising any egos.

by Charlie on Jun 16, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duffy

If he EVER plays another game for the big club, I will be very surprised. I think that the Pirates are just showcasing him in the hope that he can actually throw the ball. If he shows he can throw, there will probably be some desperate GM who will pick him up for a perceived (by the Pirates anyway) low, minor league “prospect”.

by thegunner on Jun 16, 2008 1:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs