Nice catch, Dave
David Yerena, who doubles as a producer for Dodgers on Demand and a security guard at Dodger Stadium, just made a spectacular catch of a foul ball off the bat of Mets catcher Ramon Castro, who is DH'ing today (yes, the DH is being used in a game between two NL clubs). Dave caught it on the fly with his bare hands while sitting in one of the broadcast booths high above home plate. ... Delwyn Young, who is playing 2B, made two lunging plays to his left in the first inning, then made a spectacular play behind the bag in the third, getting the runner at first each time. He is expected to see some 3B action soon, too. But even if he is able to play five different positions, the Dodgers still will need a backup shortstop (my guess is Hu), and it's hard to figure out right now how they're going to fit that extra person in. At any rate, DY is already having a great spring with the glove. What I can't figure out is how this guy has stayed under the radar for so many years while coming up through the minors. He can really play. ... Scoreless game, bottom 3. Penny went two innings, allowing a hit and a walk.
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Comments
I'm not sure the spare SS will be Hu. Abreu can also play short, but I get the impression that he is still not fully recovered from the abdominal surgery he had in October, and will open the season either on the DL or in Las Vegas.
As for Hu, I suspect the Dodgers would prefer he get regular playing time in Las Vegas to open the season. That leaves Ramon Martinez as the only other available infielder with SS experience. It wouldn't surprise me to see Martinez open the season with the Dodgers, with either Abreu or Hu being called up to replace him later in the season.
I can't believe that the Dodgers would expose DY to waivers, and expect him to make the team. I believe Repko can still be optioned w/o being placed on waivers, so I am guessing that he will be opening the season in LV.
Assuming the Dodgers open the season with 11 pitchers, I see the bench as consisting of the following players:
Sweeney
Bennett
Nomar/LaRoche
Ethier/Pierre
Martinez or Abreu/Hu
DY
Of course, a trade or some other player move could change everything.
I'm also wondering, if he's not ready at the beginning of the season, will the Dodgers consider opening the season with Schmidt on the DL?
Tony, being that I live in NY, I decided to take this last chance to attend a Dodgers spring training in Vero (unless the move to Arizona is somehow delayed another year). Consequently, I was at the game today at Port St. Lucie, and agree with your assessment of DY's play at 2B. Given all the reports I've read about his hands of stone, I was impressed. Of course, a few games are not enough to arrive at any firm conclusions about his defense, but my early impression is that he can at least do an adequate job at 2B. I understand that he will also be getting playing time at 3B, and look forward to seeing how he handles that.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | March 1, 2008 5:12 PM
Nomar can backup at shortstop.
Posted by: Daniel | March 1, 2008 9:24 PM
Daniel, great minds think alike. I actually asked Torre about that possibility after the gam yesterday and got a great lede note out of it, which you can read in today's Daily News or online at dailynews.com
Posted by: tony jackson | March 2, 2008 5:56 AM