FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Good morning, all. TGIF! We're here in Fort Myers, about a 2-1/2-hour drive from our home base in Clearwater. The Red Sox and Twins share this place, although they have separate ballparks and training complexes. But with the Sox jetting off to Japan, the Twins are the only game left in town.
Anyway, as I drove south this morning along the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which links St. Pete with Bradenton, I thought about something Phils pitching coach Rich Dubee said yesterday. He mentioned that Kyle Kendrick started panicking being blitzed in back-to-back Grapefruit League starts a few weeks ago. "We had to watch for him on the Skyway Bridge for a while," Dubee said.
One thing is for certain: Kendrick will have ups and downs this season. It happens to every young pitcher, and the fact that Kendrick didn't hit a single speed bump en route to 10 wins after being called up from Class AA Reading last June was truly remarkable. Even Cole Hamels struggled during his first 10 or so major-league starts in 2006, and you can bet Kendrick will endure some tough times as teams develop a better scouting report and collect more video of him.
Yesterday, Kendrick faced a Pirates lineup that included only two starters. There was no Jason Bay, no Adam LaRoche, no Freddy Sanchez. But Kendrick looked sharp, tossing five scoreless innings. If nothing else, it should help his confidence moving forward.
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Brad Lidge was supposed to pitch against Yankees minor-leaguers yesterday in Tampa. But early-morning rain canceled the game, leaving Lidge to pitch in a minor-league intra-squad game back at the Complex. Will Lidge be ready for opening day March 31? Ask us on the 30th," Dubee said. OK, we will.
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Adam Eaton starts today. We'll let you know how he does. Today's lineup against Twins right-hander Livan Hernandez: CF Shane Victorino (.239), 2B Eric Bruntlett (.237), 1B Greg Dobbs (.263), LF Pat Burrell (.250), DH Chris Snelling (.267), 3B Wes Helms (.281), RF So Taguchi (.321), C Carlos Ruiz (.407), SS Ray Olmedo (.185). Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard have the day off. Brett Myers is starting a minor-league game back in Clearwater. We'll get you an update on that, too. 75 and sunny today at the Fort. Another perfect Florida day.
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Finally, as always-informed Paul W. alluded to in the comments section of the previous post, John Patterson has been released by the Nationals. I'll check to see if the Phillies have any interest, although from what I'm hearing, it's extremely unlikely that any team would sign Patterson to anything but a minor-league contract. Keep in mind that he has had two surgeries to relieve a nerve problem in his forearm. You can read more about Patterson here.
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