By Ryan Pfleiderer
Wilson’s Injury Could Sideline Him for Opening Day
(Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)
As Brian Wilson‘s epically long beard continues to grow, so does the list of injuries the star closer has suffered this spring. Wilson has a strained ribcage muscle, which could keep him out for the beginning of the regular season. He had a MRI on Saturday and is going to be reevaluated today. The bearded closer led the league in saves last season and helped seal several Giants’ playoff victories on their way to a championship. The Giants do have a few relievers who can fill in for Wilson; right handers Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla have closer-type stuff, and lefty Jeremy Affeldt is having a fantastic spring and could fight for the job.
Huff to See More Time in Left
(Associated Press)
Left field isn’t new territory for Aubrey Huff. Although he is most comfortable at first base, the slugger isn’t complaining about playing in the outfield. Last season, Huff played several games in right and left field while Buster Posey played first base. Now another rookie might push Huff back to the outfield. First baseman Brandon Belt might not be on the opening day roster, but he’s sure to make an appearance in the big leagues sooner rather than later. Manager Bruce Bochy wants Huff to get some playing time in left before the season begins just in case Belt gets called up in the first few weeks.
(Photo by Adam Foster)
Brandon Who?
The name’s Belt, Brandon Belt. And he’s very, very good. Belt’s raised plenty of eyebrows this spring, especially after his performance against the Chicago White Sox last week. Belt went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, and came just a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Mark DeRosa likes what he sees from the youngster: ”obviously he can hit. It was good to see him go through a little struggle and get out of it, because every night you’re going to see top-flight pitching. You’ve got to take your lumps and bounce back.”
One Freakish In-N-Out Order
(Jim Caple/ESPN)
The Freak is known for his high-powered fastball and his devastating change-up, but now he’s getting recognition for his favorite fast food order. Tim Lincecum loves In-N-Out Burger so much that each time he visits the fast food chain he gets not just one double-double, not just two double-doubles, but three double-doubles (a double-double is a cheeseburger with two meat patties and two slices of American cheese). But Lincecum doesn’t stop his order there. The 5’11″, 160 pound flamethrower adds two orders of fries (cooked in cholesterol-free oil of course) and a chocolate-strawberry milkshake to top it all off. The junk-food junkie’s dream meal adds up to 3150 calories; but as long as he keeps pitching the way he does, no one’s going to stop him from hitting the drive-thru.
Cain You Dig It?
Matt Cain is on a tear. The starting pitcher hasn’t allowed an earned run in 31 1/3 innings. He didn’t allow a single run during the Giants postseason run and he hasn’t given up one in a single outing this spring. The last team to get a run on the board against the right hander was San Diego, and that was in Cain’s last regular-season start. Cain had some elbow tendinitis at the beginning of Spring Training, but that hasn’t affected his pitching. He says he feels good and is ready for the season.
Bullpen Blitz: Who Gets the Last Spot?
(Photo by James Huber)
There’s four pitchers, but only one roster spot. Jeff Suppan, Ryan Vogelsong, Dan Runzler and Guillermo Mota are fighting for the final spot in the bullpen, but it’s not clear who the favorite is to claim the seat. Last week, Suppan, Vogelsong and Mota each allowed two runs in an exhibition with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Runzler was impressive in several relief appearances last season before he dislocated his right knee cap while in the batter’s box during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Bruce Bochy says the spot will go to the pitcher who performed best during Spring Training. If Suppan doesn’t make the team, he has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out and test the free agency waters.
Opening Day Countdown
10 days until the first pitch of the 2011 Major League Baseball Season
