Michael Barrett Lands on the DL

The San Diego Padres placed catcher Michael Barrett on the 15-day disabled list with concussive-like symptoms after being kneed in the head while sliding into second base Friday, just 5 days after being hit in the mask by a foul tip.

Barrett is hitting .231 in 31 games with the Padres after being shipped off by the Chicago Cubs.

In a related move, Jack Cassel was recalled by the club on Friday and made his big league debut, allowing two hits and two runs in three innings of the Padres' 12-7, 11-inning win. He was optioned to the AAA Portland Beavers the very next day.

The club also recalled pitcher Mike Thompson after sending him down earlier in the week, and purchased the contract of catcher Pete LaForest.

Thompson pitched four innings of San Diego's 10-5 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, giving up 3 runs - 2 earned - and 4 hits with three walks. Saturday, he tossed 1.1 innings in the loss at Cincinnati, allowing with 3 earned runs on 4 hits and a walk.

LaForest hit .313 in six games with the Pads in his short, mid-April big league stint.

[The Herald]

Fun With Polls: Padres and Cubs Trade

In our most recent poll, we pondered on the St. Louis Cardinals' many issues. We asked what you fine readers thought and you've spoken.

30% said the Cards are slumping and struggling due to their laundry list of injuries and star players' trips to the DL. The obvious choice.

22% of you claim there's no plausible explanation besides the fact that they can't hit or pitch: they just plain suck at baseball.

19% said Tony La Russa is drunk.

16% of you blame the Brewers being in the same division.

The last 13% say there's nothing to worry about and that they'll catch their footing after the All-Star Break.

So, there you have it.

That brings us to our next burning question: Was this morning's Cubs and Padres trade a good move?

The San Diego Padres acquired controversial catcher Michael Barrett in a trade with the Chicago Cubs for backstop Rob Bowen, plus a little cash and a minor leaguer.

• 
  Yes!
• 
  No!
• 
  Indifferent.

view results

Cubs Trade Michael Barrett to Padres

Michael Barrett won't be getting his ass kicked by Carlos Zambrano anytime soon, as the Chicago Cubs backstop was traded to the San Diego Padres this morning.

In return, the Cubs received fellow catcher Rob Bowen and Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards outfielder Kyler Burke along with cash considerations in the deal.

The 30-year-old Barrett is batting .256 with nine homers and 29 RBIs this season, while getting some recent negative media attention and being a total pussy in an interview with Lizzy and me.

In parts of 10 seasons with the Cubs and the Montreal Expos, Barrett has a .267 career average with 95 homers and 401 runs driven in.

Bowen, 26, is batting .268 with two longballs and 11 RBIs in 30 games this season for the Pads.

Burke, a lefty, is hitting .211 with 1 homer and 21 RBIs in 62 minor league games this year.

[Another Cubs Blog] | [Gaslamp Ball]

Under The Bleachers

We met up with Michael Barrett at the hospital this morning - his face barely recognizable: misshapen and swollen from the pounding fists of fury that is Carlos Zambrano. He reminded us of a battered housewife.

Barrett: "You know ladies, if I may get the first word, I've been in brawls before. And I've always emerged the glorious victor. Take Exhibit A for example. Here is a photo montage of me punching A.J. Pierzynski in the face."

Lizzy: "Michael, lots of people have punched A.J. Pierzynski in the face."

Sooze: "Yeah, and I would think it wouldn't be that hard to do either. He's not all that brilliant."

Barrett: "Hey, don't discount my ass-kicking."

Sooze: "The one you received last night?"

Barrett: "No! The time I beat up that asshole A.J."

Lizzy: "Michael, please stop changing the subject. We're here to talk about why Big Z beat the crap out of you last night in the dugout and later in the clubhouse."

Barrett: "First of all, he didn't beat the crap out of me. I just bruise easily."

Sooze: "Of course. Was it the passed ball that upset him? What did you say to provoke such anger?"

Barrett: "I called his mama ugly."

Lizzy: "Ooooh. Don't ever call a man's mama ugly. Especially on his birthday. The result is a royal beatdown nine times out of ten."

Sooze: "Case and point."

Barrett: "It was my birthday when I pummeled A.J. Pierzynski!"

Lizzy: "No. No it wasn't, Michael. I think it's time you put that glorious day behind you and come out and admit what a sissy you are."

Sooze: "That's right. And we're here to help."

Barrett: "Really?"

Lizzy: "Yes. I'll start. Michael, I think you're a pussy."

Sooze: "And I think you fight like a girl."

Barrett: "Hey!"

Lizzy: "Michael, just listen. It's for your own good."

Sooze: "It's called Therapy."

Barrett: "Okay."

Lizzy: "If you would just repeat after me... 'I Michael.'"

Barrett: "I... Michael..."

Lizzy: "Am a total bitch."

Barrett: "..."

Sooze: "You can do this, pal. We're you're friends, here."

Barrett: "Am a total bitch."

Lizzy: "Zing! Did you get all that on tape?"

Sooze: "Yes! Now let's go put it on the internets!"

Barrett: "Daaaamn it!"

*cries into pillow*

[Happy Birthday! I'm Gonna Kick Your Ass!]

Happy Birthday! I'm Gonna Kick Your Ass!

Who needs an opponent when you can just fight each other?

Carlos Zambrano and his battery mate, Michael Barrett shoved each other in the dugout before Big Z busted the catcher's lip in the clubhouse so badly that Barrett wound up in the hospital.

Aaaaaand the Cubs lost 8-5 to the Atlanta Braves.

Zambrano, a rather large man, was seen pointing to his head and yelling at the catcher in the dugout before the bottom half, while Barrett pointed toward the field. Shoving ensued and Zambrano - Thursday being his 26th birthday - cocked his right fist as they were being separated.

Lou Piniella, not to be outdone, told Zambrano to take a cold shower and go home before the manager returned to the dugout. Just moments later, a clubhouse attendant whispered something into Piniella's ear and Derrek Lee jumped up and headed into the tunnel, with Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild close behind.

Turns out, the beating continued in the clubhouse, where Barrett pretty much got his ass kicked: two black eyes and a busted mouth, which needed stitches.

Both players will be disciplined for their idiocy and seriously, I hope Barrett will think hard next time he considers a passed ball.

See the video on SOX & Dawgs!