Ex-Cardinals Watch 5-11-09: Blaine Neal Signs Deal, Book On Mike Coolbaugh's Life Released, Felipe Lopez Falls Short Of Cycle, Brian Esposito Reassign

Darren Oliver (Angels):
Before Shields' overpowering work, Darren Oliver had delivered seven outs with his customary aplomb.

There is not a cooler customer in the game than the 38-year-old left-hander, and his presence can be soothing to younger teammates trying to make an impression.

"Darren's just a great guy to have on your staff, in every way," Jason Bulger said. "He's so calm and relaxed and so open about sharing his knowledge."

If Oliver is the glue, the 'pen came apart for a spell when he was forced into a brief fling as a starter. His four innings in Minnesota on April 18 -- he was excellent, yielding only one run -- resulted in a triceps strain that put him on the 15-day disabled list.

But Oliver is back, bringing stability to middle relief and humor to the bullpen.

"Darren's been consistent," Scioscia said. "He got seven outs [on Sunday, after starter Shane Loux had struggled]. I thought he stopped the bleeding, being able to make pitches. He had the [low] pitch count to give us two innings, and Shields needed only six pitches to get through the seventh.
Angels Official Site

Felipe Lopez (Diamondbacks):
Felipe Lopez starred for the D-backs offensively by coming within a triple of a cycle against his former team, while Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds also went deep against Bronson Arroyo (5-2).
Diamondbacks Official Site

Blaine Neal (Indians):
On Monday, the club announced that it had signed right-handed reliever Blaine Neal to a Minor League deal and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus. The 31-year-old Neal hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2005 with the Red Sox and Rockies, and he's coming off a 2008 season with Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers' system.
Indians Official Site

Luke Gregerson & Luis Perdomo (Padres):
When pitching coach Darren Balsley looks at the composition of San Diego's bullpen, he sees eight relievers, many of them short on experience, confidence and, most importantly, results.
Padres Official Site

Mike Coolbaugh (Deceased):
S.L. Price's work, "Heart of the Game: Life, Death, and Mercy in Minor League America" is more than just another baseball book being released. It's a legacy, an heirloom that can be handed from a father no longer here to his children.
Rockies Official Site

Brian Esposito (Astors):
Was reassigned from Triple-A Round Rock to Double-A Corpus Christi.