Saito still not ready, Abreu to play today
Takashi Saito tried to throw off a mound, but still felt something very, very tiny in his right calf. ``The good part is, he can throw of flat ground (and feel nothing),'' Joe Torre said. ``My advice was ... he has to be totally free of any discomfort. We just need to make sure we protect him.'' Torre said relievers typically need 9 or 10 innings to be ready for the start of the season. But closers sometimes need less than that. Eric Gagne never needed more than eight. So I'm guessing Saito will be fine, although the clock is ticking. Even if he isn't, Jonathan Broxton has closer stuff, so he could fill the gap if Saito isn't ready at the start. ... Tony Abreu makes his spring debut today after battling abdominal discomfort most of the spring. Joe said he'll play at least two of the next four games, possibly three of them. ... Thanks to Chad for saying hello out on the back fields today, and for tell me he loves this blog. I encouraged him to post his thoughts. I encourage ALL OF YOU to post your thoughts. As I stated earlier today, that is what is going to make this a great blog.
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
This shameless pandering for page views is beneath you.
No. Wait -- it isn't.
Posted by: Sobrino Favorito
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March 7, 2008 9:29 AM
No problem Tony. Think I'll see any time in the bigs this year?
Posted by: Chad Moeller | March 7, 2008 9:29 AM
New reader here. I come for the rumors & news but will stay for the bickering.
Posted by: ThurmanMunsonFlightSchool | March 7, 2008 9:51 AM
Thanks for the update on James Adkins. Hope he's doing OK after being whacked with the line drive. Have a good rest of the spring.
Posted by: Tommy Bryan | March 7, 2008 9:56 AM
Chad Billingsley is going to be a horse in the Dodger rotation for several seasons to come.
Posted by: El Lay Dave
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March 7, 2008 10:30 AM
I'm not convinced Broxton has wrapped his mind around the closer role yet. I think it's similar to the way that Gagne would be lights out coming in at the top of the 9th with a lead (ANY lead), but bring him in when the score was tied and he was no where near as effective. Broxton seems to thrive in the set-up role, but falter when asked to close the game out. I hope someone is working on his mental toughness to prepare him for that step. If he can get his mind around it, he'll be a great closer. jmho
Posted by: wrisp | March 7, 2008 10:41 AM
Before anyone starts complaining about Billingsley giving up 3 homers -- the wind is blowing out at 21 MPH.
Posted by: Marcel | March 7, 2008 10:49 AM
El Lay Dave is the poster child for what is wrong with blogs. He pollutes this site by contributing nothing just as he does over at Dodger Thoughts. Ban him TJ!
Posted by: Karl Hungus | March 7, 2008 10:55 AM
Tony, after hearing the news of Matthew Kredell getting fired (Daily News Kings' blogger), I am glad you are still around.
Posted by: Aaron DeVandry | March 7, 2008 11:36 AM
What's the status of Nomar's injury? I hope it's seri...er, I hope it's nothing serious.
Posted by: Andy Laroche | March 7, 2008 11:58 AM
Tony, how bad is Nomar's injury? I heard he got hit by a pitch on his hand and he's out.
LaRoche fans rejoice! (Unless Inge comes to L.A., uggghhhh)
Posted by: Joe Dodger | March 7, 2008 12:06 PM
Great, so LaRoche injured his hand now too?
He and Nomore can share a hospital room now.
Posted by: Joe Dodger | March 7, 2008 12:25 PM
Tony, if you want to have a great blog, you have to remember that dialogue is a two-way street. That's means no more comments like this one:
"Ray, I just said I wouldn't RESPOND to anyone's comments. I never said I wouldn't initiate (agitate)."
...which I pulled off an earlier thread regarding Juan Pierre. People usually only bother to comment if they think someone's listening. If you solicit feedback, you'd better welcome differing viewpoints, and not stick your fingers in your ears and sing "Lalalala, I can't hear you...." when someone disagrees with one of your grand pronouncements.
This blog is not your newspaper column. The exchange of information runs both ways here, or it ought to, otherwise this site will turn into a boring echo chamber.
Posted by: Disabled List | March 7, 2008 12:32 PM
Nomar/LaRoche injury update: Precautionary x-rays for both, but they are expected to be fine.
Posted by: Marcel | March 7, 2008 12:33 PM
Broxton will be the man
Posted by: USC_89
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March 7, 2008 12:55 PM
I abide. Disrespect from Karl Hungus is not to be easily dismissed.
Posted by: El Lay Dave
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March 7, 2008 12:56 PM
Tony, any news on how the 0-4, 3 LoB showing will affect Pierre's approach? Is he going to arrive two hours earlier tomorrow to get in some extra baseline ball-rolling?
Anyone catch the name of that rightfielder of ours who singled and homered? That kid's got some real potential.
garciapierra.blogspot.com
Posted by: Garciapierra | March 7, 2008 1:02 PM
I didn't see any blazing speed on those basepaths, though. The kid just sorta lollygagged around the bases after he hit that colossal bomb, didn't he? Our daily leftfielder would've scored faster. He would've scored twice. That is, after he hit the ball 400 feet.
Posted by: John Shade | March 7, 2008 1:17 PM