Time to take a look at things that have happened in the couple of days that I have left you guys hanging.
I'll just touch base on them and let you guys chime in.
Manny leaves with a leg injury: Manny Ramirez injured his tender left hamstring, leaving during the fourth inning of the Dodgers Cactus League game against Colorado on Sunday.
He grounded out in his only at-bat and tweaked his hamstring while running after Troy Tulowitzki's double down the left field line.
We know that Ramirez is behind everybody else as far as getting into game shape, but this injury does appear to be minor. I am sure the Dodgers will take it easy with their prized investment as he is the most important cog in a championship caliber team.
Sounds like he is working hard to get into shape, but will have to take it easy for a little bit while this hamstring recovers. We might not see him in the lineup for a couple of days, and then it would be wise to ease him in as the DH.
I don't think that Manny being ready for the season is in question. I feel when it comes time to play for keeps, he'll be there.
Tough outings for rotation hopefuls: I think any chance that Eric Milton and Claudio Vargas had of being the Dodgers fifth starter come April went out the window on Sunday. Milton got the start, and lasted three innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits. His Spring Training ERA rose to 5.40.
Vargas' rose to 7.15 after giving up three runs in the three innings that followed Milton. He has been very bad this spring and doesn't even appear to be a sure thing in the Dodgers bullpen. He does have a Major League contract, which puts the Dodgers in a bad place if he keeps performing poorly.
Pitching, continued...: Hong-Chih Kuo also made an appearance on Sunday and did not pitch well in relief, giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Kuo is still rusty and should be given some slack.
Jason Schmidt, the "frontrunner" to be the fifth starter, will pitch on Monday in a split-squad game against the Oakland A's.
Schmidt is really going to have to start making some progress to be ready to contribute at the Major League level and he is going to have to do so while staying healthy.
Let's just say that after Monday's game, the fifth starter picture is not going to be any less cloudy.
I still have concerns about Kershaw in the fourth spot as well. The guy will be a stud someday, but in 2009 he is still a bit of a question mark. He gave up two runs over 3 2/3 in his last outing, but he did strike out five. His ERA is 5.63.
There's nothing to update on the Pedro Martinez situation.
Paul keeps hitting, Martin getting hot: Xavier Paul is a beast, apparently. The guy keeps on hitting, going 2-for-3 on Sunday to raise his average during Spring Training games to .417.
The Dodgers are probably aching for a deal that would get Juan Pierre out of town so they can give this guy a shot. Delwyn Young is out of options and is cemented as a reserve outfielder, but he would be much easier to trade.
Martin has also raised his average to .417, going 3-for-6 in the last two games with a home run and a double.
there is a lot to look forward too as far as the Dodgers go, our offense is stacked and looking good. Manny hasnt even played into that picture yet.
Kershaw looked better yesterday, dominating at the beggining then loosing command.
Paul is a stud and as Kenny Powers would put it has "an arm like a f#$@ing cannon!"
But the bullpen looks horrible! And Tomko has looked better in spring training then all of the other guys we have...maybe Driefort's arm is healthy again!
not too worried about manny. he'll be okay.
kershaw is eventually going to get his command figured out and be lights out. i think it could happen very soon. the rotation will be so good if he does that.
If Schmidt pitches poorly today or feels any pain in his shoulder, time for the Dodgers to be more than just curious about Pedro.
scratch Schmidt from the rotation although today he at least pitched...lets just leave it at that. Weaver took a giant dump all over himself for the fifth spot today not being able to get one out.....WE HAVE NO INTERNAL OPTIONS ANYMORE!!!!!
It seems clearer now more than ever...VOTE FOR PEDRO!
Manny being out for a week is no big deal, he will be ready for opening day and if other teams think that he isnt all there then throw him a fastball over the plate and we will see how he does!
I'm a broken record on our pitching...please get another starter for the rotation because if we cant field five starting pitchers then our starting depth sucks big time! Sign Pedro or give up some of our young guys and get someone...anyone! These are my trade chips for the team (players I'm willing to part with)
For Peavy or Halladay my package is centered around Ethier
Anyone else then here are my chips
McDonald
D. Young
X Paul (value should sky rocket after spring)
Scott Elbert
Hu
Dewitt
A package of a couple of these guys should yeild a Dempster/Lilly/Meche type of pitcher...although looking at other teams rosters I cant really think of any other names....certainly none of them are available. Can/will we make a deal with the Padres for Peavy?