BY SCOTT LAUBER
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, the Phillies beat the Yankees, 8-3, in the rain at Bright House. Just got through talking with both Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee. Lots of stuff about Kyle Kendrick, but we'll get to that later.
After the game, Jason Donald was sent to minor-league camp, but that's not a surprise. Manuel and assistant GM Scott Proefrock told me yesterday that Donald would almost certainly start the season in triple-A. So, all tolled, six players got sent down today (Kendrick, Donald, catcher Lou Marson, infielder Brad Harman, right-hander Dave Borkowski and lefty Jake Woods).
So, where do we stand?
Well, based on the postgame conversations with Manuel and Dubee, here's my best guess. And, please, keep in mind this is only a guess at this point and a lot of things can still change: Because of the three off days during the season's first eight days, the Phillies will start with only 11 pitchers. I think both J.A. Happ and Chan Ho Park will make the team, leaving Gary Majewski and University of Delaware product Mike Koplove to go to triple-A. Carrying one fewer pitcher will allow the Phillies to also carry one extra position player, opening a spot for Miguel Cairo, who belted his third Grapefruit League homer in the seventh inning. About 10 days or two weeks into the season, the Phils will add a 12th pitcher (Majewski?), but they will still have extra time to try to trade either Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs. The only other decision will be which backup catcher makes the team, Chris Coste or Ronny Paulino.
Here, then, is my projected 25-man opening-night roster:
Pitchers (11): Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, Chan Ho Park, Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre.
Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste.
Infielders (7): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo.
Outfielders (5): Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, Matt Stairs, Geoff Jenkins.
***
Hamels will start in a minor-league game tomorrow, as scheduled. If that goes well, Dubee said he'll start again March 29 and then April 4 (the Saturday exhibition game against the Rays at the Bank). Thus, Dubee has downgraded his chances of starting opening night from a "long shot" to a "very, very, very small shot."
Must start writing. More later.
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2 comments:
Have you looked st Cairo's career stats ? He's Thomas Perez and we already have that with Bruntlett. Just because he's hitting in April does not change the fact that he stinks.
What did you really see wrong with his career stats? He could be solid off the bench. He's having a hot spring so he's proven he deserves a spot.
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