Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (TheRedSon) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:32:55 GMT

I'm not a medical expert, but I am under the impression that the complication of the procedure can vary from case to case. Craig Hansen, the Red Sox reliever, had surgery performed to correct his sleep problems, and the Red Sox waited until an off-season to do it. The description of Hansen's procedure seemed like it might take some recovery time, since the surgeon had to break his nose and also removed the tonsils in order to increase nighttime breathing. I am...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (TheRedSon) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:24:27 GMT

That's fine if an inning here and an inning there is all the Astros expect to need from him. If this is the only thing keeping him from being a better starter than Chris Sampson on the other hand...

I won't argue that Nieve probably gets a lot more wear and tear on his body in a day than I do (at least now... I had it done in high school though ), but the longest that procedure should keep him off the...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Bob Hulsey) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:05:19 GMT

An athlete's head probably takes more punishment than the average Joe. Even the landing off the mound during a follow through probably would hurt a head with recent surgery more than somebody who sits at a computer all day. Perhaps even running hard might. So I wouldn't necessarily compare recovery time between Nieve and one of us.

So, if he can go an inning here or an inning there without making his situation worse, why not have him do that and then get his surgery done in...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Clack) — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:22:30 GMT

TheRedSon wrote:
I'm not sure I understand waiting that long to correct a deviated septum if it's causing him this much trouble with endurance.

I've had the procedure done before. It's an inpatient surgery and I felt fine after a couple of days. I think he'd be ready to pitch again in a week probably (that's how long they left the splint/stitches in).

I'm not a medical...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (TheRedSon) — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:04:19 GMT

I'm not sure I understand waiting that long to correct a deviated septum if it's causing him this much trouble with endurance.

I've had the procedure done before. It's an inpatient surgery and I felt fine after a couple of days. I think he'd be ready to pitch again in a week probably (that's how long they left the splint/stitches in).

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Berkmaniac) — Sat, 17 May 2008 07:57:58 GMT

I know that you all saw how excited Hunter was when he made that ridiculous catch! He was smiling from the second he hit the dirt. That is the way the game is meant to be played right there. Way to go Hunter!

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (leedoc) — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:37 GMT

Flastrohs wrote:
Nieve's #'s at RR.....

1-3 record
32 innings
39 hits
21 runs/19 earned
10 walks....21 K's....4 homers....1 HBP...2 WP...5.34 ERA....1.53 WHIP

Not good.

In this case, it's not that simple. He was very good for 4-5 innings, but a sinus problem was keeping him...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Bob Hulsey) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:57:08 GMT

He will replace injured reliever Geoff Geary, who left Thursday's game with a strained right groin, on the 40-man roster.

That's incorrect. Geary, I presume, is going on the DL and Nieve, who is already on the 40-man roster is being called up to replace him on the 25-man roster. If Nieve were not on the 40-man, the Astros would have to release or reassign somebody to make room on the 40-man but that's not...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Flastrohs) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:53:42 GMT

Nieve's #'s at RR.....

1-3 record
32 innings
39 hits
21 runs/19 earned
10 walks....21 K's....4 homers....1 HBP...2 WP...5.34 ERA....1.53 WHIP

Not good.

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (bsb8532) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:46:42 GMT

I'm fine with Pence at leadoff but I don't get Bourn in the 8 hole. Why not bat him 9th? At 8, you're going to bunt him over with the pitcher, which negates his best asset....speed. I guess you could try to steal then bunt him to 3rd, but the defense will have an advantage in throwing him out as they will not have to focus on the hitter (pitcher) like they would Matsui, Tejada, or Berkman. They can work him at first and throw pitch outs to gun him down. Plus, with Pence at...

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (danocaster) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:41:29 GMT

I was hoping Nieve would get the call up. I think he'll be solid.

I hope this doesn't mess up Pence's approach.

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Spudder) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:19:15 GMT

PatHajovsky wrote:
I'll bet Nieve got NO sleep last night....

Are you blogging via Blackberry......you're in Arlington, right?

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (PatHajovsky) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:15:47 GMT

I'll bet Nieve got NO sleep last night....

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Astrogirl) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:15:20 GMT

I had not heard about this. Interesting!

I know fans have been screaming about doing something about Bourn. I guess the 8 spot would be less pressure, so it will be interesting to watch and see if there is any difference.

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (RyanED) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:14:59 GMT

Hunter Pence's .335 on-base percentage is more desirable as a leadoff hitter.

I love this change so much.

Watch the Astros score 10 runs tonight.

Maybe not, but I can hope!

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (RyanED) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:11:00 GMT

Kudos to Cecil Cooper for making the change.

Now this means more at-bats for Hunter Pence, and Michael Bourn will likely hit much better in the number 8 spot because they'll be less pressure on him to produce a much better on-base percentage.

More at-bats for Hunter Pence, less at-bats for Michael Bourn is basically what it comes down to for me, and I like the thought of that. I'm eager to see Fernando Nieve pitch. I really don't know what I expect out of him....

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Spudder) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:08:32 GMT

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Spudder) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:06:57 GMT

I like it.....first 5 batters should do a lot of damage.....

Re: Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (Bance Lerkman) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:06:42 GMT

That kind of sucks. I love having Pence up after Tejada, Berkman, and Lee. He's usually batting with men on in the 6th spot. It'll be nice to have more men on base for Berkman, but I like knowing Lee is going to get some pitches to hit with Pence batting behind him. Ty Wiggington or Geoff Blum protecting Lee concerns me a little.

Hunter Pence is the leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn is moved to the number 8 spot, and Fernando Nieve is called up from Triple-A.

feeds@yuku.com (RyanED) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:02:17 GMT

Astros move Pence to leadoff spot, call up Nieve | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

From Chron.com

The Astros called up righthander Fernando Nieve from Triple-A Round Rock today and moved right fielder Hunter Pence into the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Pence, batting .286 with a .335 on-base percentage this season, will take the top spot in the order from...