Though it could be argued Jeff Weaver has made a career out of underachieving, you have to at least give him credit for being a survivor. He once parlayed a 5.76 ERA regular season into being one of the Cardinals postseason heroes en route to a World Series Championship.
This season, he's apparently made good on a minor league contract with the Dodgers. Despite an ERA of 7.00, the Dodgers have all but guaranteed Weaver will be their long reliever this season. Weaver's been scratched from a start today, but will instead throw a minor league game, as Joe Torre hopes Weaver gets sufficiently stretched out for his new role.
"It gives us some options in case we want to hand him the ball and say, 'Here,' " said Torre. "Mainly, he'll be that long guy out of the bullpen. He's been consistent for me, without telling you he's on the club. We're doing what we're doing today, not seeing him in the big league game, this is more a physical thing to stretch him out."
After spending all of 2008 in the minors -- with an ERA north of six -- this has to be incredible news for Weaver. Like I said, you have to give him credit for being a survivor. He just won't go away.
Weaver to Be Dodgers' Long Reliever originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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