Here are some items of note from clubs out on the West Coast …
- The Dodgers don't yet have a plan for right-hander Vicente Padilla, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. Padilla, last year's Opening Day starter, could (again) start, close or be a long-reliever, depending on injuries. Padilla's base salary reflects that, Hernandez writes. His base salary is for $2MM, but he can earn an additional $8MM in incentives for starting or $6.8MM for relieving.
- The Rangers once again are well-stocked with catchers, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, but this year, as opposed to previous years, they have a clear-cut starter in Yorvit Torrealba. Still, they have three other useful backstops in Matt Treanor, Mike Napoli and Taylor Teagarden, but because Treanor has a Major League deal and Napoli is a strong hitter and versatile defender, Teagarden, who still has minor league options, appears to be the odd man out.
- The Diamondbacks are experimenting with finding some more at-bats this spring for roster hopeful Micah Owings, writes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Owings, a right-handed pitcher, is in camp on a minor league deal and is vying for the long-relief job out of the bullpen, but he could improve his chances of breaking camp with the club because he can be used as a pinch-hitter and perhaps even as a first baseman, on occasion.
- Padres right-hander Dustin Moseley, who signed a Major League deal with San Diego in December, will pitch out of the bullpen if he doesn't crack the starting rotation, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com. Generally regarded as a swing man, Moseley chose the Friars over a handful of other suitors for the chance to win a starting job.
Bluemargay2
Wouldn’t it be crazy if Micah owings winds up the Diamondbacks full time 1b.?
mrshyguy99
anyways to speak about the dodgers they should use, Vicente Padilla they should use him as a starter and bull pen pitcher just to keep garland healthy during the season
bleedDODGERblue
Starter or bullpen pitcher.. is there any other options? Oh yeah I forgot he can play LF and 3B
Brad426
Micah Owings’s career slash line: .293/.323/.538. That’s pretty strong for a pitcher.
LioneeR
Without looking, I bet that is better than Melky and Franceour last year.
jmits90
Really who would of thought?
Brad426
No doubt. I’m sure his 2007 slash line of .333/.349/.683 is better than those guys would ever dream of.
MB923
Looks like we found the 2nd Great Bambino