Let’s Thin Out that Herd

March 25, 2009 at 4:42 pm | Posted in Brian Mazone, Claudio Vargas, Eric Stults, Erick Threets, James McDonald | 5 Comments
Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB

Well, today’s game against Milwaukee ought to help send some of those 5th starter wannabes to the glue factory:

Eric Stults: 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 HR (spring ERA: 12.96)
Claudio Vargas: 1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 HR (spring ERA: 8.22)

Just like most of their pitches today, any chance of these two winning this competition has to be going… going… gone.

With Shawn Estes already a washout, Eric Milton not far behind, and Jason Schmidt already counted out, that has to mean James McDonald wins this by default, right? Imagine that – we really could see a Dodger rotation that’s three-fifths twenty-five-and-under. It’s not exactly the way we all wanted to see it, but man, is that thought tasty.

Not that things went any better for the guys still competing for the 2nd lefty reliever spot, as Brian Mazone and Erick Threets each gave up a homer. Are we really going to sit by and watch the Giants go get Will Ohman? It’s not like his skill set perfectly fits what this team needs, or anything.

On another note, what is with all of the injuries? You’ve got Chad Billingsley, Blake DeWitt, and Mark Loretta all pulling muscles in the same game. You’ve got Clayton Kershaw taking a liner off the hip, Jason Repko pulling a hamstring – in addition to Manny’s previous hamstring problem – and now you’ve got Delwyn Young going for an MRI on his surgically-repaired elbow. Granted, none are that serious, but still, not a good omen.

The season simply cannot start soon enough.

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James McDonald, it is your turn to grab the number five spot. Just as long as Eric Milton doesn’t make the opening day roster, I will be happy.
Although, I gotta wonder if Neddie is paying more attention to Pedro’s dropping price.

Comment by grabarkewitz— March 25, 2009 #

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I agree, I want the regular season to just start already. I hate worrying about injuries in meaningless games.
James McDonald is a beast, just let him prove he can be a major league starter.

Comment by Bluboy— March 25, 2009 #

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Hand the 5th starter spot to McDonald…
Stats from Thursdays outing vs. Colorado:
James McDonald’s outing of 3.0 innings, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 0 runs, 3 K
VS.
Eric Milton’s outing of 2.2 innings, 7 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 runs, 0 K

Comment by Gibby's Limp— March 26, 2009 #

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Just out of curiosity, how many innings do you think you need to evaluate a pitcher? Stultz has only pitched 8 innings in ST. If we went by Peavey’s 1st 8 innings in the WBC, he would be going to the minors right now.
Admittedly he’s got a couple of runs for each of those innings, but I’m thinking this guy is a slow starter. Does the pitching coach also evaluate these guys pitching to determine who gets pitching time?
I guess its best to send all of the remaining guys down to AAA and see who is best for the sixth starter role, but for Stultz its really now or never.

Comment by Dodger Dude— March 27, 2009 #

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[...] and signed with the Dodgers late in spring training, I was thrilled (and had only mentioned it about eleven times in March during the whole [...]

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