Ben Sheets News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 13

ESPN.com

"Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin caught reporters slightly off-guard at the GM meetings in Chicago this week when he observed that "no one has heard from" former Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets. More than one media outlet took the comment as a sign that Sheets might be backing off an attempted comeback in 2010. According to Sheets' agent, that interpretation couldn't be further from the truth. Agent Casey Close said that Sheets is doing "very well" in his rehab from flexor tendon surgery and plans to be 100 percent by the start of spring training. Close also anticipates no shortage of interest from clubs in the coming weeks. "We have already heard from a number of teams inquiring ..."

Rangers notebook: Sheets situation

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March 11

Dallas Morning News

"Right-hander Scott Feldman put together another solid outing in a loss to San Francisco in Surprise, Ariz. Feldman, who pitched two scoreless innings in his last start, added three more Tuesday as he allowed one hit and walked two. Feldman even experimented with a slider, throwing it twice in the game. "I tried to keep the ball down and get some quick outs," Feldman said. "I was kind of frustrated with my breaking ball, but I went down to the bullpen when I was through and threw 10 to 15 good ones. I didn't really have command of it during the game.""

Sheets' surgery cuts twice

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February 13

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Milwaukee Brewers were mum Friday on the subject of who will pay for free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets' elbow surgery. "The only resolution we have is that we're not going to comment on the situation," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "We're referring everything to (Sheets' agent) Casey Close. It's up to him to say anything about it." Following his practice, Close did not return a telephone call from the Journal Sentinel seeking comment. Sheets was pitching for the Brewers when he tore the flexor tendon near his right elbow toward the end of the 2008 season. The medical opinion at the time was that the injury would heal with rest and rehabilitation. When Sheets decided to have ..."

Sheets' surgery cuts twice

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February 7

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Milwaukee Brewers were mum Friday on the subject of who will pay for free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets' elbow surgery. "The only resolution we have is that we're not going to comment on the situation," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "We're referring everything to (Sheets' agent) Casey Close. It's up to him to say anything about it." Following his practice, Close did not return a telephone call from the Journal Sentinel seeking comment. Sheets was pitching for the Brewers when he tore the flexor tendon near his right elbow toward the end of the 2008 season. The medical opinion at the time was that the injury would heal with rest and rehabilitation. When Sheets decided to have ..."

Sheets might need elbow surgery

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February 5

MLB.com

"Finally, an answer to one of this winter's most puzzling questions: Why is the National League's All-Star Game starting pitcher still looking for a job? The answer is that free agent right-hander Ben Sheets may need surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon in his elbow, and his former employers may be asked to pick up the tab. Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said on Thursday that the team has been in discussions this week with Sheets' agent and officials from Major League Baseball about who would pay for the procedure. "We're working our way through all of the details and we don't know the answer yet," Ash said. "Major League Baseball has regulations related to workers comp and ..."

Pursuit of Sheets opens up for Texas

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January 27

MLB.com

"The Yankees were believed to be one of the Rangers' potential competitors in the pursuit of free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets. But they seemed to drop out of the picture on Monday when they re-signed pitcher Andy Pettitte to fill the last spot in their rotation. The Rangers view that as a good sign as they continue to show interest in Sheets. "Anytime somebody signs another starting pitcher, that obviously lessens the competition," Rangers president Nolan Ryan said Monday afternoon. "Obviously, Andy and Ben are at two different points in their careers, but I don't think Andy signing hurts anything." The Rangers are the only team that has publicly stated interest in Sheets, but the process ..."

Texas Rangers must weigh pros and cons of signing Ben Sheets

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January 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Spring training begins in fewer than three weeks, and the Texas Rangers still have a chance to drastically alter their outlook for the 2009 season. All they have to do is sign one free-agent pitcher who lives in Highland Park and wants to play for them. Of course, making the final call on adding Ben Sheets isn't that simple. Were there no health concerns, neither Sheets nor the Rangers would be in this position. Another team, one with deeper pockets, would have thrown Derek Lowe or A.J. Burnett money at him weeks ago. A potentially balky elbow, though, has dropped his price into the Rangers' ballpark, and the club brain trust is trying to find the right deal that covers their back sides if ..."

Rangers' X-rays show Sheets as a risk, but a reward waiting to happen

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January 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"All of baseball, the Texas Rangers and the Milwaukee Brewers included, have treaded lightly around the subject of Ben Sheets' pitching elbow. Which is abundantly understandable. A club doesn't want to spend $20 million over two years on a pitcher when the pitcher is destined to have Tommy John surgery and miss the next two seasons. So, the Rangers wait. They want to see more medical information. They want to make sure that the guaranteed money, the draft pick they would have to surrender to sign the free agent, and the odds of Sheets staying healthy all add up. Forget the addition, though. The only math necessary here is that the reward is greater than the risk. But the Rangers seem ..."

Ben Sheets' elbow still concerns Rangers

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January 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Lingering concerns over the status of Ben Sheets' right elbow could ultimately prevent the Texas Rangers from signing the free-agent All-Star pitcher to an incentive-laden contract. The Rangers have examined Sheets' medical reports, but sources said the club wants the most recent information on his torn flexor tendon. It's an injury the Rangers know too well. Jason Jennings lasted only six starts last season before suffering a second torn flexor tendon in nine months. In both instances - August 2007 and May 2008 - Jennings had surgery. Sheets' tear did not require surgery, and he has resumed his normal preseason throwing program. He threw twice last week at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. ..."

Texas Rangers again meet with Sheets

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January 24

Dallas Morning News

"Texas Rangers officials have again met with free agent right-hander Ben Sheets and remain interested in him, team president Nolan Ryan said Friday. Sheets and his agent, Casey Close, met with Rangers representatives, including Ryan, owner Tom Hicks and general manager Jon Daniels, on Wednesday in Arlington. It was their first face-to-face discussion since the winter meetings in December. Sheets also long-tossed Thursday with new Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, who coached him in Milwaukee the last six seasons. Ryan said no offer was made to the 30-year-old but that one is possible "if things progress and everything comes together." "For an organization that is trying to improve ..."

Melvin playing waiting game

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January 11

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

columnist Tom Haudricourt

"The assumption by many in Brewer Nation is that general manager Doug Melvin will follow the signing of closer Trevor Hoffman by landing one of the higher profile starting pitchers remaining on the free-agent market. Don't count on it. First, forget the rumors that the Brewers are in the hunt for Derek Lowe. He doesn't fit into the team's budget for next season and beyond, and Melvin isn't going to forfeit a first-round draft pick in June by signing a Class A free agent. "I haven't even talked to Scott Boras," said Melvin, referring to Lowe's agent. Melvin wouldn't reveal his exact budget for 2009, but including projections of the team's six looming arbitration cases, the signing of Hoffman ..."

Sheets waits as hurlers begin to sign

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December 19

MLB.com

"There are still plenty of teams looking for starting pitching, and that is good news for free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets. But the New York Yankees don't appear to be one of them. The Yankees formally introduced CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, two big free-agent pitchers they recently signed to upgrade their rotation. New York is still looking for one more starter to complete its rotation, and there was some discussion about turning to Sheets. But it appears that the Bombers are set on re-signing Andy Pettitte. "He's still excited about coming back," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "He was very excited about the additions to the club, and he's excited about ..."

Melvin doesn't anticipate making offer to Sheets

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December 11

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Milwaukee Brewers focused on their pursuit of pitching help Wednesday in an attempt to at least partially compensate for the free-agent loss of ace CC Sabathia to the New York Yankees. That search does not include a plan to make an offer to their other free-agent starting pitcher, Ben Sheets. General manager Doug Melvin said he met the previous day with Sheets and his agent, Casey Close, at the Bellagio, where baseball's winter meetings are being held. Melvin and assistant Gord Ash did not make a bid, however. "We just went up to his suite and just visited with him, talked baseball, talked free agency," said Melvin. "We didn't talk about a contract." Asked if he might make an offer to ..."

Texas Rangers believe Ben Sheets' interest is genuine

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December 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"A meeting with pitcher Ben Sheets at the winter meetings went well enough that team president Nolan Ryan said he believes the Texas Rangers will meet with the free-agent pitcher again. Another conversation hasn't been scheduled, and Sheets and agent Casey Close will dictate when and if that happens. Ryan got the sense, though, that Sheets has genuine interest in the Rangers. But while the club's pursuit of Sheets indicates a possible departure from their stated plan of not spending money on a big-name free agent, much has to happen before Sheets takes the mound on Opening Day at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. "We didn't budget for a big-time free agent, but the prudent thing to do is not ..."

Daniels, Ryan sit down with free agent Sheets

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December 9

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets and his agent, Casey Close, met Monday with Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and team president Nolan Ryan for the first time this off-season. Daniels cautioned that the meeting, held on the first day of the winter meetings, was a get-to-know-you gathering and nothing more. Sheets lives in the Dallas area and has a relationship with new Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, who oversaw Sheets for five years with the Milwaukee Brewers. "I wouldn't read too much into it," Daniels said. "It was a chance for us to get to know him. We talked about our plans in free agency. There are a few guys we have interest in.""

Source: Brewers' Sheets likely to decline arbitration

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December 4

Foxsports.com

"Right-hander Ben Sheets is likely to decline the Brewers' offer of salary arbitration, according to a major-league source, leaving the team with two potentially major holes in its rotation. The Brewers also are facing the loss of free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, who has yet to respond to their five-year, $100 million offer. Sabathia, 28, has received a six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees and also is drawing interest from the Angels and Giants. Sheets, 30, earned $11 million last season, and his salary could rise to $14 million on a one-year deal in arbitration. However, he and his agent are confident that other clubs would show strong interest in him on a short-term deal, the ..."

Sheets likely out in Milwaukee

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October 6

Rocky Mountain News

"Milwaukee's postseason hopes ended Sunday, and so did the Ben Sheets era with the Brewers. Sheets, a first-round draft pick of the Brewers and 10th player taken overall in 1999, is the senior member of the Brewers roster, having spent the past eight seasons in the big leagues. The tenure is about to end. Sheets is a potential free agent, and part of the reason the Brewers picked up CC Sabathia on July 1 was because they don't expect to be able to re-sign Sheets and wanted to take a shot at a world championship before losing Sheets. Sheets said Sunday he hadn't thought about his future, but reports out of Milwaukee were that Sheets was emotional in his good byes after Philadelphia ..."

Ailing Sheets leaves Milwaukee Brewers' win

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September 18

Washington Post

"Ben Sheets' ailing right elbow forced him out of the game long before Milwaukee ended its losing streak. It's still unclear if the injury will sideline him during the Brewers' push for a playoff spot. The All-Star right-hander left after two innings because of a tender elbow but the Brewers, boosted by Prince Fielder's three-run double, beat the Chicago Cubs 6-2 Wednesday night to stop a five-game skid. The Brewers stayed a half-game behind New York in the NL wild-card race. Now they have to wonder if Sheets can pitch again over the final 10 games. "It's been so up and down that I would think it's very possible," Sheets said. "There's been really good days and really bad days. There's been ..."

After looking good through fifth, Sheets leaves game with injury

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September 2

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The scare came in the fifth inning. The real damage, at least for now, came in the eighth. Milwaukee Brewers co-ace Ben Sheets was having little trouble with the New York Mets through five innings Monday. He put away 10 consecutive batters after a second-inning walk, and his pitch count was an economical 54. But some tightness in his left groin was enough cause for manager Ned Yost to remove Sheets from the game, leaving it in the hands of the bullpen. That was fine until the eighth inning when Eric Gagne gave up a two-run home run to Carlos Delgado that erased the Brewer lead and pushed the Mets to a 4-2 victory in the series opener at Miller Park. Sheets felt some discomfort, like a ..."

Punchless Again, Nats Get Strong-Armed by Sheets

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August 10

Washington Post

"The zeroes, linked together, span the width of two games, two days and two menaces. They span two box scores and 18 innings, lighting a trail that leads all the way back to the Washington Nationals' arrival in Milwaukee, where the Brewers greeted them with domination done twice. The hardest thing about facing CC Sabathia, it turns out, is recovering from him. Because Saturday night, one day after enduring Sabathia's shutout, the Nationals ran into the rare pitcher capable of carbon-copying such an effort. Ben Sheets, high water to Sabathia's hell, finalized the Nationals' collision with two of baseball's top arms by pitching another shutout, a 6-0 defeat that left the Washington's lineup ..."

Ben Sheets defends Kerry Wood: Blister is a 'big deal'

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August 1

Chicago Tribune

"Lou Piniella said he hopes Kerry Wood can return to the Cubs in a week or so after Wood threw a 26-pitch simulated game with protective padding on his right index finger. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild declined to give a timetable but said Wood is progressing and took a big step Thursday. Asked how long he would be out, Wood replied: "I don't know. It was wrapped up today so I didn't feel anything. We'll probably try to throw without [the padding] tomorrow and see how it feels." Wood said he was "beyond antsy" to return and still can't understand why the skin under the blister is taking so long to heal. "This is the darndest thing I've ever seen as far as [a skin problem]," he said. "I ..."

Sheets chosen to start for NL

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July 15

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Ben Sheets had no way of knowing that he was auditioning for his first All-Star Game start last Wednesday during a regularly scheduled assignment against Colorado. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who just happens to be running the National League all-star team, left Miller Park duly impressed that day despite the fact his club beat Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers"

Brewers' Sheets, Indians' Lee to start All-Star Game

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July 14

ESPN.com

"The Milwaukee Brewers' Ben Sheets and Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee were chosen Monday for their first All-Star Game starts. The right-handed Sheets, 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA, anchors a rotation that includes newly added CC Sabathia, who won his second game in as many starts with the Brewers on Sunday since being acquired in a trade with the Indians. Lee has picked up where 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner Sabathia left off. The left-handed Lee, who leads the AL in victories at 12-2 and is second with a 2.31 ERA, has persevered after having to earn a spot in the Cleveland rotation during spring training."

Sheets to be named NL starting pitcher

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July 14

MLB.com

"Ben Sheets will be named the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game, according to a Major League source. The announcement will be made during a news conference with NL manager Clint Hurdle of the Rockies later Tuesday morning at Yankee Stadium. Sheets would be the first Brewers pitcher to start a Midsummer Classic. He is on his fourth All-Star team and has pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his previous appearances, but has never worked before the third inning."

Sheets in running for all-star start

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July 10

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Ryan Braun might not be the only representative of the Milwaukee Brewers to start in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in New York. Colorado’s Clint Hurdle, who will manage the National League team, said Wednesday that Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets was under “serious consideration” to start the last All-Star Game ever played at Yankee Stadium."

Brewers must bank on future, not Sheets

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June 29

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

columnist Michael Hunt

"There are many things that ought to surprise us daily in this volatile world, but Ben Sheets reaffirming that he would test free agency this off-season should not be among them. Sheets saying that last week was like the forecast from the late, great George Carlin's hippie-dippie weatherman: "Tonight, dark. Continued darkness throughout most of the evening, with some widely scattered light toward morning." And Sheets could declare he wouldn't negotiate during the season and not come off as the bad guy because the Milwaukee Brewers have taken the same position. If you're Mark Attanasio or Doug Melvin, what else could you do?"

Sheets intends to test free agency

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June 25

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Ben Sheets confirmed Tuesday that he has every expectation of testing the free-agent market this winter. “That’s the direction I’m headed right now,” Sheets said. “You can’t invite yourself back.” The Milwaukee Brewers’ staff ace referred to the club’s decision not to try to negotiate a new deal before or during the 2008 season. Sheets is having the kind of year that every free agent-to-be covets. After tossing a complete-game four-hitter Monday night against Atlanta, he is 9-1 with a 2.59 earned run average through 15 starts, with a league-best three complete games. Now, even if the Brewers came calling with a new offer, Sheets admitted that he probably wouldn’t ..."

An ace in the whole

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June 24

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"In this age of closely monitored pitch counts, so-called quality starts and room-service saves for closers, Ben Sheets reports for duty with a refreshing outlook to his craft as a starting pitcher. "He's got a nine-inning mentality," Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "When he takes the mound, he has his mind set on finishing the game. "It's hard to find guys with a nine-inning mentality in this day and age." Of course, it's a lot easier to go nine when you put down the final 16 hitters in order, which Sheets did Monday night against the helpless Atlanta Braves in a 4-1 victory at Turner Field."

Getting healthy dose of anger

June 1

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Sheets was literally stomping mad when his manager walked out to get him with two outs in the top of the ninth inning Saturday night at Miller Park. A good portion of the sellout crowd of 42,913 voiced their displeasure as well. "Ben Sheets is one of the few guys that when he steps foot on that mound, he wants to go nine," said Yost, who wasn't going to jeopardize the health of his starter or the Brewers' 4-1 victory over Houston."