James McDonald Heads to the Bullpen

March 17, 2010 at 10:38 am | Posted in James McDonald | 7 Comments

Via Tony Jackson’s Twitter:

Joe says J-Mac no longer a candidate for fifth spot. Vying for a bullpen slot now

This jives pretty well with what I thought yesterday when discussing the fifth starters:

James McDonald. Just like last year, I think we’d all come into camp hoping that McDonald would come away with the job. Who wouldn’t want to see the two-time team Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the rotation rather than the usual crew of retreads and has-beens? Despite McDonald’s failure in the role last year, he did turn his season around with an impressive run out of the pen, leading many (okay, me) to hope that he’d found his groove. Yet he’s been awful so far this spring (6 runs and 8 hits in 4 innings, with just 1 K and 3 walks), and with the extra room in the bullpen thanks to Belisario’s disappearance, he may be needed there. Odds: 10%

Considering how little the fifth starter gets used early in the season, and the extreme likelihood that the “fifth starter” will likely be four or five guys throughout the year, this isn’t terrible news. McDonald was excellent as a reliever last year, and might be in a better position to help the team that way in the early going.

Still, in the long run, a starter is more valuable than a reliever, and the 2011 rotation right now has only two probable names – Clayton Kershaw & Chad Billingsley. McDonald wants to start, and in the long run it’s better for the team that he does, successfully. Will he still get that opportunity?

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I noticed that Jay Gibbons is in camp getting at bats but is not listed under your Non-Roster section…he seems to be a legitimate choice for a lefty off the bench, plays OF/1B and is younger than Anderson & Mentkievicz. Yes he comes with baggage & a tainted stigma but everyone is entitled to a second chance…just a thought.

Comment by Rob— March 18, 2010 #

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- That’s because Gibbons is in minor league camp, not major league.
  
  Comment by mike scioscias tragic illness— March 18, 2010 #
  
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I’m still frustrated by the lefty-off-the-bench situation, but mostly feel like this offseason hasn’t been nearly as disappointing as Dodger fans would suggest. Carrol probably shouldn’t be a Dodger, and it would be nice if Garret Anderson could play second and short and go by the name Felipe Lopez, but I don’t have a huge problem with the team.

I really don’t want Haeger in the bullpen, but he probably won’t get a starting gig unless he does. I would love to see him start. I’m still thinking that he or McDonald end up with a starting job this season.

Comment by Tom— March 19, 2010 #

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McDonald has pitched his way out of the rotation and after last night’s debacle versus SD, he probably pitched his way to Albuquerque. He entered the game with a 4-3 lead in the seventh and promptly surrendered six runs. Ouch! Ugly line.

Kuroda wasn’t exactly lights out, but nice work from Kuo and Withrow.

Comment by SamAdams— March 20, 2010 #

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i think Jmac is pressing, it happens..and to bad. and yes with Lopez out their, Colletti does his best impression of “chucko the clown”….

Comment by bluetrain— March 20, 2010 #

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[...] in just 5.1 innings and wonder how much of that stat line can be dismissed. When McDonald was knocked out of the 5th starter competition the other day, it didn’t bother me all that much; with the issues the bullpen is having and [...]

Pingback by When Do Spring Training Stats Start to Matter? « Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness— March 20, 2010 #

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[...] the year in the running for the #5 starter, but a poor spring first cost him a chance at the chance at the rotation, and then threatened to cost him a spot on the team entirely: Yet at some point, you have to [...]

Pingback by MSTI’s 2010 in Review: Relievers, Part 3 « Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— November 11, 2010 #

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