Friday, March 18, 2011

I Don't Know's On Third

37-year-old Casey Blake looks like he could be starting the year on the DL, according to Don Mattingly:

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly allowed for the possibility Friday that third baseman Casey Blake might begin the season on the disabled list because of the inflammation in his lower-back/rib-cage area.

"Right now, Casey isn't on the field. ... I don't want to try to project it yet, but obviously, we are looking at other options in case he isn't going to be available Opening Day," Mattingly said.

Blake has been sidelined since Saturday, when his back tightened up after running to first base on a sacrifice bunt in a Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants.

He underwent an MRI exam earlier this week that showed nothing more serious than inflammation, but the fact Blake still doesn't feel well enough to do any on-field activities -- coupled with the fact the season opener is now less than two weeks away -- means there is room for at least some doubt as to whether Blake will be ready.

Even before he got hurt, Blake had just one hit in 13 Cactus League at-bats, suggesting he still needs a handful of plate appearances in the spring to get his swing and timing ready for regular-season competition.

"He had been on a pretty good program," Mattingly said. "He had gotten some work in. But really, we're getting to a point in the spring where guys are starting to step up their innings, get more at-bats and really sort of fine-tune everything. Right now, Casey is still just running in the pool."

The bad news for the Dodgers is that none of the 81 home games this year will be played in a pool. So we're in trouble at third base. Better go to my closet and dust off my glove.

4 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

How I miss you, Blake DeWitt

Steve Sax said...

How I miss you, Adrian Beltre

Josh S. said...

How I miss you, Ron Cey

Cliff Beefpile said...

How I miss Jennifer Mendoza. In 11th grade she gave her word to stop at third, but she did let me cop a feel.