When everybody in the competition is horrible, what do you do?
You open up the competition to more people.
Enter James McDonald.
After remaining steadfast that McDonald would open the season in the bullpen, Joe Torre and the Dodgers seem to be backtracking a little bit, but can you blame them?
Eric Milton, Jeff Weaver, Shawn Estes and Claudio Vargas have been pretty much horrible and Ramon Troncoso really never entered the competition because of his early struggles.
So on Saturday, the Dodgers decided to give McDonald a start, instead of bringing him out of the bullpen, to see how he'd pitch after struggling for much of the spring.
The answer was that he'd pitch well.
McDonald entered the game with an ERA will above seven, but thanks to three scoreless innings which saw him allow just one base runner, he lowered his ERA to 5.84.
He said he was able to relax and that he wasn't trying to strike everybody out. Instead, he reminded himself to pitch to contact.
McDonald has the stuff to pitch to contact, making him the most viable in-house candidate, even though the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Vargas might have the inside track.
On Friday, Vargas gave up one run over three innings. He was still shaky, but far less shaky than he has been most of the spring. Vargas may get the first crack, with the expectation of failure, allowing the Dodgers to move McDonald into the spot, make a free agent move (Pedro Martinez), or make a trade.
And if he doesn't fail, all the better.
Thank god! Watching James pitch was a little exciting, he shoved it and if he continues this way the rest of spring, then I will back off my vote for Pedro. It was great to get out and see the guys, we watched them practice and warm up for Saturdays game at Camelback.
Bullpen Session: Clayton Kershaw looks great, his pen was fantastic and to try and watch his curveball with the naked eye is damn near impossible. I talked to him after his pen (he is a nice guy!) I asked what was different from last year? He said he was more relaxed, better prepared for what is ahead, and looking to have a real good season. Jason Schmidt threw his pen next to Clayton and this guy will not be pitching this year...IMO. He was throwing his fastball (looked like it was 70mph next to Kershaw) 59 ft bouncing most of them and having no location. He looked frustrated, I think he knows he is done. He certainly isnt ready now and it will take a lot of work to make it happen.
Josh Lindblom: He is a big guy 6'5'' and built to match, but throws well, he was making the royals look bad on friday...something that none of the other dodger pitchers were able to do. He throws a hard fastball 92-94 consistently and he has a nasty slider, but he also threw a curveball that buckled one of the royals for a strikeout. He just got called up and I was also able to talk to him sat. morning...he is still in shock about the call up, we saw him shaking hands with Joe Torre and he said it was the second time he has talked with him...EVER! He looks good, drafted last year...first round I think? (Matt help me out on this) He was a starter in college his first couple years and then converted into a closer...he is a hard throwing right hander that will take McDs job in the playoff last year as the seventh inning guy...I SEE HIM SETTING UP BROXTON BY NEXT YEAR!
Forgot one more note...MANNY WILL BE READY! Watched him take batting practice twice and he hit bombs to Left and Right Center like he could do it in his sleep. You dont have to run fast when you hit it out of the park! He was doing running drills as well...So dont worry Dodger fans I will guarentee that Manny will be ready. This is preventing him from starting on the 15 day DL which is where he might land if he pushed it. At this pace he can DH and get limited time and he would be just fine on opening day.
Been catching up from the weekend but saw a rumor about Pierre to White Sox possible...watched the Sox too thought they needed a CF and leadoff plus the sox have been watching Pierre stealing bases like no other this spring...Could this happen?
Also saw a blip about Harang could be available in midseason...he had an off year last year but if he bounces back could be a great pitcher that would make our staff solid for playoffs.
Lindbolm- been reading more about him...guess that was a splitter I saw him throw and not a curveball...That was a nasty pitch whatever it was that fell out of nowhere and buckled the hitter (think Sean Casey v Kershaw)!
Lindblom was a second-round pick a year ago, and everything you said sounds like everything I have heard. Thanks for the report, I am very excited.
The only thing that makes me think that the Juan Pierre situation with the White Sox could happen is that Kenny Williams likes speed and he doesn't have a guy you would consider an everyday centerfielder. I hope they can clear the salary hurdle.
Lindblom was a good closer in college at Purdue in his junior year. It's good to hear that he looked good and is progressing well.
Lasorda, thanks for all that information. Good to get it first hand from a Dodger fan that was at Spring Training. Interesting to hear about the difference with Kershaw pitching next to Schmidt.
lasorda that was cool information you got. anything else you can tell us? i like the lindblom info and it was cool to hear what kershaw said. i bet seeing his curveball was wicked.