Stairs and Ruiz return
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Stairs and Ruiz return
Andy Martino
Good morning from Clearwater. Had a half-day off yesterday (probably shouldn’t make this public, but I did my own laundry last night for the first time since college—my wife has always taken care of that particular chore. It did not go well. Went down to the laundry room at my hotel with just enough quarters for detergent and one load. Used the quarters earmarked for detergent on something called “Bounce,” opened the box, and was very surprised to find that Bounce was not detergent, just two little strips of fabric softener. The strips floated to the ground while I searched the empty box in for something that would clean my clothes. Told you, I don’t know laundry).
Anyway, we jump right back into it with two games today. The intrasquad game at noon (played at DiMaggio field, across the street from Bright House) features Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz, as expected. Brett Myers, Chan Ho Park, Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge will pitch.
Here’s the lineup for the 1:05 Grapefruit League game against the Braves:
Donald 3B
Bruntlett SS
Ibanez LF
Howard 1B
Werth CF
Mayberry RF
Giles 2B
Ruiz C
Kendrick P
Also pitching: Eyre and Madson
You may have noticed Ruiz’s name in the lineup. Both he and Matt Stairs returned to hugs and boisterous greetings from teammates after Panama and Canada were eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. More on them later, and more on the intrasquad after I return from that.
Comments (40)
Obviously, I love Stairs for what he did last year. But does it really make sense to burn a roster spot on a guy who is basically a one-dimensional bench player? I'd rather see Donald or Mayberry make the squad...— Philth- This lineup would beat a lot of WBC participants, including Panama. Not sure about Kendrick.— EL Zorro
- You should really use Tide. Clothes will be soft and keep their color...please tell us more about your laundry. I don't think this is what people mean when they want to hear about "dirty laundry".— bmoney
- Glad Chooch is back and that alls well after the his collision at the WBC. I hope for Kendrick's sake he has a good outing if not he may be in headed to the Pigs.— KarenA
- I hope they don't have any infielders they care about, playing on DiMaggio Field. I'm not sure it would be acceptable for a good high school game.— willl
- KarenA -Its not Kendrick's outing that has to be good its his attitude. Dubee is more cncerned about that than anything else. Spring Training is to polish up on the mechanics so expecting anyone to be in mid season form is not realistic. Lets hope he's gotten back some of the poise he had in previous years.— Wally 24
- Everyone, if you can, go to the Phils website and check out Utleys interview on his physical progress. The guy is amazing and I would be suprised if he is on the field for Opening Day.— Wally 24
Gain is also good for cleaning clothes.
Comment removed.- If Mayberry makes the team, I dont see him getting much playing time if Werth, Victorino and Ibanez are all healthy. Stairs is the kind of player who could sit for 2 weeks and not complain. Mayberry is at a stage in his career where he needs to play every day. Now this brings the perfect argument of: Is this team better with Ibanez in LF, or with Mayberry/Jenkins/Dobbs/Stairs rotation in LF...— 93phils
- Andy, I suggest you either bring wife to spring training, find mistress, or learn to do laudry real quick. I have a reliable report that the Phils are considering shipping you back to the Mets as a secret weapon due to the smell....just kidding. I'm still interested in your opinions of the back up infielder war, as well as the Stairs controversy (keep him or not)— jeff gross
- In reality you need 4 outfielders going into the season and a utility man who can play the corner outfield positions. So if Ibanez, Victorino, and Werth are the starters & Bruntlett is the utility man then the battle for the #4 spot is between the rest. Whether Charlie chooses to keep Stairs, Jenkins & others on the bench as the season starts depends on how he sees the infield situation shaping up and the number of pitchers they feel they need to carry. The Phils are in a very good situation right now but much depends on the return of Utley and Feliz.— Wally 24
- Wally, I think it is a foregone conclussion that Jenkins will make teh team (unless a trade happens) While last year was a bust, and cost him his starter's role, he has been a good player his whole career and you don't cut that kind of salary over one bad year. Assuming 12 pitchers and 8 regulars, the 5 on teh bench will probably be: Coste, Brunlett,Dobbs, Jenkins and one of teh verteran infielders they brought in. I doubt Mayberry or Donalds makes it, but I expect to see both at some point during the season— jeff gross
- That is a tough call on Mayberry.. he sure seems to be "arriving", but given how Ibanez, a much more known quantity, is swinging the bat, you have to assume he's not going to get a heck of a lot of playing time. As much as the power from the right side of the plate is enticing, you'd had to see Mayberry's progress stunted while he languishes on the bench.. Andy, has there been any talk about whether the Phils are viewing the Mayberry situation as a dilemma or does it appear he's going back down for more consistent work. Sure is getting a lot of PT this spring, though.— benw
- Comment removed.
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