Just wanted to give some updates.  There’s a couple things worth noting before we jump in.  Full spring training stats aren’t available.  The numbers on the team pages are from Grapefruit league action only.  Please please please keep in mind that spring training performance only affects position battles.  If Ben Francisco hits .400/.550/.800 he’s not going to take Jayson Werth’s job.  As we move toward the end of spring, we’ll look at the numbers.  For now it’s just news…

-JC Romero and Rich Dubee are both pessimistic about an opening day return for the lefty.  I’m ready to break out the permanent marker for Antonio Bastardo.  He will make the opening day roster barring injury.  The 7th spot is now a battle between sentimental favorite Scott Mathieson and an army of minor leaguers and NRIs.  As of today, that pack is headed by Drew Carpenter and the loser of the battle for the 5th spot between Kendrick and Moyer.  Speaking of which…

-Rich Dubee has restated that Kyle Kendrick must steal the job from Moyer.  He cited some concerns over Moyer’s endurance but otherwise indicated that he’s pretty locked in as the #5 at this early stage of spring training.  For what it’s worth, both pitchers have been fine thus far.  It remains to be seen if they’ll consider wandering north with Kendrick in the pen or if they want to keep him stretched out in extended spring training/AAA.  I’d bet on the latter.

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