Billingsley to the bullpen, Abreu - first positional callup?
There are some interesting development today regarding the initial roster positioning. Mind you, it's only 14 March.
Namely, we have learned that Chad Billingsley will start the season pitching out of the bullpen.
This is not as bad news to the young pitcher as it would seem to be. Remember, last season when he was almost as highly touted (but unproven), after a more than decent spring training, he still started the season in the minors. This time, he gets a chance to stick around in the form of No1 long-man (spot starter).
Thirdly, Hong-Chi Kuo will most probably start in the minors to get his control issues out of the way and fight to regain his chance at becoming an efficient starter for the Dodgers during the season. Eric Stultz will join him in the Las Vegas 51's rotation. Hence the incumbent No.5 starting role will go to Brett "Bobmko" Tomko. But both Kuo and either of the Dessens/Mays pair will be watching his performance very closely.
In short (as of today):
Rotation: Schmidt, Lowe, Wolf, Penny, Tomko
Relief: Billingsley, Hendrickson, Mays/Dessens/new lefty, Beimel, Broxton, Saito
Released/traded: Mays/Dessens
Minors: Kuo, Stults, Tsao, Hamulack, Brazoban (when back from IR) + plus the prospects
Now, on a totally different (non-pitching note): the play of 2B Tony Abreu is making heads turn. Heir apparent to Jeff Kent? Perhaps even later this season? More to come.
Namely, we have learned that Chad Billingsley will start the season pitching out of the bullpen.
This is not as bad news to the young pitcher as it would seem to be. Remember, last season when he was almost as highly touted (but unproven), after a more than decent spring training, he still started the season in the minors. This time, he gets a chance to stick around in the form of No1 long-man (spot starter).
"I talked to Chad yesterday and let him know what we had in plan for him this year, and that's to work in the middle part of our bullpen," Los Angeles manager Grady Little said.That means a number of things for the Dodgers. First, Mark Hendrickson's fate as situational lefty is practically sealed. The Dodgers simply do not have an efficient lefty pitching out of the bullpen as of now. Second, at this stage it might be advisable for GM Ned Coletti to look around to swap either Elmer Dessens (virtually replaced by Billingley in the longman role) and/or Joe Mays (very decent this spring) for a harder-throwing lefty reliever. Think Alan Embree 5-6 years ago. Not now, Ned! :)
Thirdly, Hong-Chi Kuo will most probably start in the minors to get his control issues out of the way and fight to regain his chance at becoming an efficient starter for the Dodgers during the season. Eric Stultz will join him in the Las Vegas 51's rotation. Hence the incumbent No.5 starting role will go to Brett "Bobmko" Tomko. But both Kuo and either of the Dessens/Mays pair will be watching his performance very closely.
In short (as of today):
Rotation: Schmidt, Lowe, Wolf, Penny, Tomko
Relief: Billingsley, Hendrickson, Mays/Dessens/new lefty, Beimel, Broxton, Saito
Released/traded: Mays/Dessens
Minors: Kuo, Stults, Tsao, Hamulack, Brazoban (when back from IR) + plus the prospects
Now, on a totally different (non-pitching note): the play of 2B Tony Abreu is making heads turn. Heir apparent to Jeff Kent? Perhaps even later this season? More to come.
Labels: Chad Billingsley
posted by Harry | 1:28 PM
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