Sunday, March 01, 2009

Mar. 1 -- EATON SIGNS WITH ORIOLES (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, as expected, Adam Eaton cleared waivers today after being released Friday by the Phillies. And he promptly signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles and will report to spring training in Fort Lauderdale.

Makes sense for Eaton -- and for the O's. Beyond Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore doesn't have much starting pitching, so Eaton stands a better-than-average chance of making the team. And if he does, he'll cost the Orioles only $400,000, the major-league minimum salary. The Phillies will be on the hook for the rest of his $8.65 million salary in 2009 and their $500,000 buyout of his contract in 2010.

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Bad news: I'm back home for a few days, just in time for a big snow storm. Good news: My colleague, Chuck Gormley, is with the Phillies in my absence, so our coverage won't skip a beat. Plus, I'll keep updating Philled In, and I'll be back in Clearwater before we know it. So, please keep it here.

(Updated, 4:48 p.m.): A few notes from today's 7-3 win over the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, courtesy of Chuck Gormley: Brad Lidge is experiencing forearm tightness, which is why he hasn't pitched in a game this spring. But pitching coach Rich Dubee has no doubt Lidge will be ready by opening day (April 5). ... Charlie Manuel said Jayson Werth (sore right shoulder) is scheduled to start tomorrow against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. ... Cole Hamels warmed up and threw batting practice today. If his arm responds well tomorrow, he'll pitch one or two innings Wednesday against Team Canada. ... Chan Ho Park allowed four hits, including a solo homer to Brian McCann, in three innings. Park's fellow fifth-starter candidates, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco, will face the Jays tomorrow. "I don't even think the race has started yet," Dubee said of the fifth-starter competition. "They haven't even gotten out of the gates. This takes time, and a lot of these guys are in brand new shoes and we've got to break those in. I like what I've seen, but we need to see them get through a lineup a few times." ... Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton will pitch in the B-game tomorrow against Toronto.

That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

1 comment:

GM-Carson said...

He's gonna get lit up in the AL East. Hell, he'd get lit up in Little League.