Juan Cruz is only pitcher or catcher missing as Phillies report to Clearwater
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Juan Cruz is only pitcher or catcher missing as Phillies report to Clearwater
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — It began on an overcast day with Cole Hamels using a towel to practice his throwing motion, a steady stream of Phillies clad in shorts playing catch, and three nurses wheeling bags filled with blood to vans.
Pitchers and catchers reported to Phillies camp Tuesday, took their physical examinations, and participated in a non-mandatory workout. Of the 37 whose presence was required, only veteran righthander Juan Cruz failed to report on time.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. labeled it a "miscommunication" between Cruz's agent and he regarding the report date. Cruz is a non-roster invitee with an outside shot at winning a bullpen job.
Amaro could not say when he expected Cruz to arrive.
The 34-year-old pitcher was productive in 43 games for Pittsburgh last season. He had a 2.78 ERA but was released in August when he refused an assignment to triple A.
A Phillies official estimated Monday that 45 of 61 players had already checked into camp. Position players are not required to report until Friday.
The team has restricted media access to players until Wednesday.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ— trailer- Wow, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing a bunch of millionaires are down in warm, sunny Florida practicing to play a game for a living while many of us working-class peons are working 40 hours a week just trying to keep our family's head above water.— dundermifflin
- Stop your whining and get a better job. Or, work a few more hours than 40. If you resent baseball so much, just don't watch it. — Matt from Iowa
- I thought it was going to read "... and three nurses wheeling the infielders to their positions."— s
- I thought it was going to read "... and three nurses wheeling the infielders to their positions."— s
- You two need to get a life. Don't read it if it makes you sleepy or want to complain about your miserable life.— PhillySubsMac
- Not all players are millionaires. Many and especially the young players are at the minimum. Veterans are at a lower salary too. With our wanderful taxes, these guys who make less than the norm........sure they make great money compared to us working class peons, however by the time they pay taxes, dues, baggage boys, agents, taxes in every state they play in and tax accounts, believe me what might look a million turns into $350,000.00 real quick. The average business man if travel is his main job and big business will make more than this for his being away from home.
So, no they are not all millionaires.— jdurb56 - The median household income in the USA is ~$50K.
Yeah I really feel for a MLB player making the MLB minimum.
I love it when I read they got so and so cheap only 1.2 mil or $750k - are you kidding me. 
@Dunder- You want some cheese with that wine? You sniveling little baby.— DixonBunz- It's probably not as funny the second time ...— s
- -s It's actually even more funny the second time. That's a great line dude.— Paul Bobo
Carlos, my good amigo; the blood and guts of my team, you have some explaining to do. Afterwards, get in shape and get ready. You put your team behind the 8 ball with your actions; your leadership and bat are going to be needed!- "and three nurses wheeling bags filled with blood to vans."..... Say what? Uhmm, after the Lance Armstrong stories last month, what's going on here? A little pick me up come July and August for the boys? Tell me a Red Cross Blood Drive was going on down on the fields!!!! :)
- The entire city knew what day Pitchers and Catchers were to report. How did he miss? Sigh.— ahathaway
- LOL about the nurses wheeling out the infielders. Good one! Nice to see baseball back so I don't have to think about Vick coming back. Or Bynum not coming back!— tomficara
