Heroes and Zeroes
Hitting (min 25 AB)
Cruz, 17-for-40,
Glaus, 14-for-33, 16 RBI
Kata, 14-for-38
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Clark, 7-for-30
Gonzalez, 6-for-30
Green, 7-for-39
Pitching (min 5.0 IP)
Tolar, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER
Lyon, 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER
Nance, 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER
[+ Bruney, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER]
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Jimenez, 7 IP, 10 H, 8 ER
Villarreal, 8.2 IP, 15 H, 13 ER
Acevedo, 5 IP, 14 H, 11 ER
Add Valverde (22.50 ERA in 4 IP), and it's not so good for our Latino relievers at the moment, is it? On the other hand, nor have we seen much of Choate recently, who has barely pitched three innings all spring, and has been reduced to seeking extra work in minor-league games. Wondering if there's some kind of issue (real or fabricated) which will lead to him starting the season on the DL?
Having said that, Melvin apparently gave the beleaguered reliever his backing, saying Choate, Koplove and Aquino are certain to open the season in the bullpen, barring injury. No mention of Aquino, Villarreal or Valverde, and the last-named has been diagnosed with "irritation in his right biceps tendon". Yes, that loud clanging you hear is alarm bells going off. The current view is we start off with a 4-man rotation, six in the bullpen and Scott Hairston might get a reprieve from Tucson.
Today, we face the Rockies: Halsey gets the start, followed by Villarreal, Bruney and Lyon. Three of those have impressed in Spring Training this year, but Oscar might not end up making the roster on Opening Day - he's already lost a rotation spot, and will need to prove he's worthy of the bullpen.