The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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72 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 MICHIGAN IN THE PROS suffered during Los Angeles Dodg- ers left-handed pitcher Rich Hill's June 19 start derailed what had been a solid season (2.55 ERA in 53 in- nings) for the 39-year-old. The injury appears to have cost Hill his spot in the Dodgers' start- ing rotation, however, with manager Dave Roberts revealing that the vet- eran will be used as a reliever upon his September return. "We expect to have Rich back, but to what extent remains to be seen," Roberts said Aug. 11. "If you're look- ing at the calendar and how much time we have, it's more about getting him healthy and building him up in some reliever capacity. "To be so optimistic that we can build him up as a starter, to 100 pitches, I just don't see that being feasible." FORMER WOLVERINES ON MLB ROSTERS Through Aug. 11 • Rich Hill (Played at U-M from 2000-02), LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Suffered a forearm tendon flexor strain during his start June 19, and is expected to be out until at least mid-September … Owns a 4-1 record and a 2.55 ERA in 53 innings of work over 10 starts. • Ryan LaMarre (2008-11), OF, At- lanta Braves: Has spent the entire season in the minors, hitting .309 with nine homers and 51 RBI in 98 games for Triple-A Gwinnett. • Zach Putnam (2006-08), RHP, Bos- ton Red Sox: Continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in March and has not pitched in 2019. • Clayton Richard (2005), LHP, To- ronto Blue Jays: Did not make his first appearance of the season until May 23 due to a stress reaction in his right knee suffered in March … Placed on the in- jured list July 14 with a left lat strain and has not appeared since … Holds a 1-5 record and a 5.96 ERA in 10 starts and 45⅓ innings. The NBA CLIPPERS SIGN DERRICK WALTON TO AN EXHIBIT 10 CONTRACT The Los Angeles Clippers inked point guard Derrick Walton to an Exhibit 10 contract July 26, after the former Wolverine (2013-17) averaged 13.3 minutes and 4.3 points per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor in four Summer League games for the organization. "An Exhibit 10 deal is essentially a non-guaranteed minimum deal that can be converted to a two-way con- tract," ClipsNation.com explained. "It also usually comes with a bonus, which is granted either if the con- tract is converted to a two-way or if the player joins the NBA affiliate G-League team after they're waived. "Essentially, it's a spruced-up training camp deal with some incen- tive to stay in the organization." Walton most recently played pro- fessionally for Alba Berlin (located in Berlin, Germany) this past winter, after parting ways with Lithuania's Zalgiris Kuanas squad in February. He also appeared in two games for the Chicago Bulls. The point guard spent the 2017-18 campaign with the Sioux Falls Sky- force (the G-League affiliate of the Miami Heat) and made his profes- sional debut with the Heat (he aver- aged 10.4 minutes in six games). The NFL DEVIN BUSH JR. SHINES IN HIS STEELERS DEBUT Pittsburgh Steelers rookie line- backer Devin Bush impressed in his NFL preseason debut, racking up 10 tackles and a pass deflection in his club's 30-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aug. 9. Bush's 10 stops not only led the team that day, but he was also the only player on the Steelers' defense to record more than seven. ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick had high praise for the Florida na- tive after the game, tweeting the fol- lowing: "Steelers rookie LB Devin Bush Jr.'s first preseason game was just about perfect. Seriously. The tape is ridiculous." "It was a ton of fun to come out and compete with my teammates," Bush said in a postgame interview. "I did alright. I should've caught that pick [thrown by Tampa Bay's Blaine Gabbert], but I definitely had fun out there." ❑ Denard Robinson • Collegiate Coaching The coaching career of the former Michigan quarterback (2009-12) and Jacksonville Jaguars running back (2013-16) offi- cially got underway July 29 when Jacksonville University hired him as an offensive analyst and assistant special teams coordinator for its coaching staff. Patrick Omameh • NFL The New Orleans Saints signed the veteran offensive guard (he graduated from Michigan in 2013) to a deal July 29, after he spent time with both the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Omameh had been a free agent and in search of a club ever since the 2018 campaign ended. Nik Stauskas • Spanish EuroLeague The former U-M shooting guard (2012-14) signed a one-year deal with Kirolbet Baskonia (located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain) of the Spanish EuroLeague Aug. 1, after spending the 2018-19 season with both the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said Devin Bush Jr.'s preseason debut with the Steelers "was just about perfect. Seriously. The tape is ridiculous." PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS/KARL ROSER