Gutierrez will be sent for further evaluation plus notes

Disturbing news last night as Franklin Gutierrez was unable to make the rehab start with High Desert because of stomach problems. Eric Wedge indicated last night that he would most likely be pulled from the assignment as they determined the next step and that has indeed happened.

“I think we are going to end up sending him somewhere to try and get further evaluations,” said Wedge.

We could have further news about this after the game with sending Gutierrez to the Mayo Clinic being a distinct possibility at this point. I had been under the impression that there had been significant progress since the team left Arizona and he has put on weight which is good but he also has still been struggling according to Wedge.

“He has always had that lingering 2 good days 1 not so good day. It has always been there but ultimately yesterday, he really didn’t feel good, we have got to try something else. We need to get him back.”

I will let you know what we hear after the game.

Moving on, David Aardsma was not able to throw his simulated game for a second straight game so he threw 30 pitches in the bullpen. The original hope had been to send him out on a rehab assignment on Monday. That most likely has been pushed back a day or two.

Miguel Olivo is not in the lineup today and it is a little bit more than a case of a day game after night game. Wedge is still concerned about the groin injury and will continue to give him extra days off until he feels Olivo is 100%. At that point he said he is confident throwing him out there every day. When I asked if he could run him out there 140 games this year he said he thought he could.

“Yeah, physically I think he can. He is a little behind the 8 ball coming out of spring training with the injury. Once he gets going I think he can go every day. I am still going to give him periodic days off but not to the extent I am now.”

Lastly, quote of the day…It has warmed up slightly but this morning the temps in KC came in at 38 degrees with the windchill at 20. While guys were scrambling for warm gear in the clubhouse Brendan Ryan declared, “I’m wearing everything. I can’t even go with the high socks today.”