You know what the absolute best part about spring training starting up is for a guy like me? There’s actually enough news floating around out there that I can do legitimate roundups/link dumps without having to scrounge the internet for an extra link or make molehill news stories into real posts.
Joel Hanrahan had an MRI on his sore elbow and it came back clean, showing no structural damage. He’s got a follow-up with Dr. James Andrews later in the week, so he’s not out of the woods yet. This is still encouraging news.
Octavio Dotel missed his throwing session today, but his sore left side doesn’t seem to be a serious problem at all.
I don’t want to talk about Frank Coonelly declaring 2010 the beginning of the new Pirate Dynasty (Seriously, Frank, you’re not adding to your credibility here even if I think you’re doing a good job. I will take this as an excuse to run this picture again, so meet me at the end of the sentence down at the bottom)
but the same post brings us the news that Neil Walker is being converted into a utility man. As an admirer of Lou Piniella’s fantastic Mark DeRosa- Mark Fontenot- Kosuke Fukudome platoon with the Cubs in 2008, I think having a guy that bats left-handed and can play several infield and outfield positions could be a huge asset, if he’s properly used. Walker still has to work on his hitting, but being able to play several positions could help the team get him on the field in situations that are most favorable for him and get the most out of him if he’s never going to be an every day player.
