Just In From the Desert

Let's speak first of what didn't happen.  Jared Goedert did not play... again.  Given the split squad deployment of today's action, I find that quite telling.  At this point it seems obvious that the organization does not have any faith in the man and that he won't get a fair shot this spring.  Goedert went 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts in the first two games and hasn't played since.  There might be an injury concern, but I have nary a word.

In that same arena, Jason Donald was hit on his left hand while batting in the third inning today.  He was removed from the game and had x-rays.  Those films were negative and Donald will likely sit 2-3 games as a precaution.

Curious as to why we're not talking about Jayson Nix or Luis Valbuena?  Well, they're just not hitting.  Nix is 0-for-7 with 3 K's and Valbuena 1-for-10 with a pair.

Utility OF Battle: Chad Huffman (.571) continued to rake with 3 hits, including a double.  Huffman scored two runs, drove one in, and stole a base.  Shelley Duncan went 1-3 in his spring debut, playing 1B.  His utility may play into the final decision.  Ezequiel Carrera (.294) played 9 innings walked, singled in a run and stole his 3rd bag.  Travis Buck (.500) singled, walked and scored a run.  Buck started again in center and, if he proves to the staff that he can play the position, he takes a step into the lead.

5th Starter:  David Huff threw 3 more shutout innings and hasn't been scored on yet.  Huff surrendered 2 hits and whiffed a pair.  He is neck and neck with Josh Tomlin.  Jeanmar Gomez (8.31 ERA) is not.  Gomez allowed 4 ER on 4 hits and walk over 2 and a third.  Jeanmar had to be removed in the middle of the 3rd inning after reaching his pitch count.  He threw only 30 of his 53 pitches for strikes.

Vinnie Pestano and Tony Sipp each threw a perfect 9th inning.  Sipp struck out 1, Pestano the side.

And not to be a Debbie Downer but Matt LaPorta leads the team in ABs (19) yet has only 2 hits and 1 RBI outside of his grand salami.  On the up side, both hits are doubles.  Matty says that he feels healthy for the first time in a year and a half.  LaPorta is out of excuses should he not produce this season.

Justin Masterson starts tomorrow against the Rockies.

Thanks again to Jordan Bastian for not posting.  I'll leave him alone from now on, unless he gets worse