BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, in the pages of the Sunday News Journal, you heard from Kyle Kendrick, who is attempting to redeem himself after the bitter disappointment of losing his spot in the starting rotation last September.
Well, he got a vote of confidence today.
Kendrick is the frontrunner in the competition for the fifth-starter spot, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. After today's workout here, Dubee said he considers Kendrick a slight favorite to win the job over lefty J.A. Happ, veteran right-hander Chan Ho Park and prospect Carlos Carrasco.
"I can't walk away from 21 wins," Dubee said, referring to Kendrick's 21-13 record over the past two seasons. "To me, he's the leading candidate going in as the fifth starter because of what he's done."
But this is hardly a done deal. Dubee, who was painfully honest in his criticisms of Kendrick last season, made it clear that Happ, Park and Carrasco will have a chance to win the job by outpitching Kendrick this spring. And if Kendrick hasn't developed his changeup, it's entirely possible that he can be outpitched.
So, clearly, this job will be won on the mound and may not be decided for several weeks.
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Today's arrivals: Matt Stairs, Eric Bruntlett, Jayson Werth. Stairs said he hasn't picked up a bat since the World Series (too busy coaching high-school hockey in Maine). Bruntlett looks like he hasn't shaved since the World Series, while Werth reported with a short haircut.
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Line of the day: "You're gonna use a glove this year?" soft-tossing Jamie Moyer joked to rookie catcher Lou Marson before throwing a 45-pitch bullpen session.
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