Versatility key for M’s
The Mariners bench is starting to take shape, but the final team lineup will likely be based more on versatility than need.
That’s the assessment from Seattle manager Mike Hargrove, who said Sunday the number of players is still undecided.
With the usual injuries and the tedious grind of squeezing 162 games into six months, the prospect of starters going the distance remains slim. While Hargrove would not commit to the number of players he would classify as “bench players,” he pointed out the reality of versatility supersedes need.
“Arguments can be made for both sides – need and versatility,” Hargrove said in the clubhouse Sunday morning. “First of all, you’re looking to fill roles, and you hope a player can play more than one position.”
Willie Bloomquist comes immediately to mind.
On a torrid hitting streak this spring, the 29-year-old Bremerton native has shown his value as a performer off the bench. Bloomquist appeared in 102 games in 2006, and played seven different positions. He started 66 of those games games at five different positions.
“It’s a challenging role, because you really can’t concentrate on one position,” Bloomquist said. “You have to take your work at every position, and you get used to that after a while.”
While the everyday players appear set, Hargrove indicated more personnel decisions are looming. Bloomquist’s role and value is not in question, but Hargrove still needs to determine the makeup of the rest of the team.
The manager still needs to decide how many pitchers the club will carry and that will likely determine the number of bench players for the 2007 season.
•With just under two weeks left in spring training, Hargrove would not commit to his opening day pitcher.
“I have a good idea who it is, but want to make sure of my decision,” he said. “Once this is out of my mouth, it’s tough to change.”
Left-hander Jamie Moyer started the past three opening games, and betting line is Felix Hernandez will open in 2007.
Bonds takes spring break
Barry Bonds went home for a three-day spring break in the middle of spring training.
Bonds will return from his excused absence on Tuesday, the day after the San Francisco Giants’ only scheduled day off of the spring.
Nearly all of the players who did not make the trip to Tucson on Saturday were given the day off. With the entire team off today, manager Bruce Bochy gave the slugger Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals off as well.
Jones’ injury just a tweak
Chipper Jones was held out of the Atlanta Braves’ lineup for the third straight game with a sore muscle on his right side, but he doesn’t think the injury is serious.
“It’s just a tweak,” Jones said through team spokesman Brad Hainje.
The third baseman hopes to play Wednesday, but could be held out much longer. Jones, who turns 35 next month, said his absence from the lineup is “precautionary, to make sure it’s 100 percent.”
Jones was pulled out of Friday night’s game after feeling soreness during batting practice. The injury caused alarm because he missed a total of 27 games with two trips to the disabled list due to a strained left oblique last season.
O’s name ‘top pitcher’
Erik Bedard will start the Baltimore Orioles’ season opener in Minnesota on April 2, a move manager Sam Perlozzo said validates the left-hander’s status as the team’s top pitcher.
Bedard was 15-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 33 starts last year.