Craig Hansen didn’t do anything to help his cause on Monday against the Reds as he was charged with all 5 runs they scored. He had a rough go around with the Reds hitters. The first batter he faced, he struck out. The second and third batters singled. The fourth got hit by a pitch. He hit the next batter to force in a run. He walked the next batter to force in another run. Struck out the next batter and walked the next batter to force in another run. Not a really good outing for someone trying to make the team. His spring ERA now stands at 15.43.
My question is did the Red Sox rush him too quickly to the big leagues. The Red Sox, especially under Theo Epstein’s reigns, normally have taken their time in making sure younger players get developed in the system before being brought to the big leagues. But since the Red Sox needed arms at the end of the 2005 season, they brought him up just a mere two months after he was drafted out of St. Johns University. For what it’s worth, I think the Red Sox would be better suited using Hansen as trade bait. He could bring the Red Sox something of value. But for now, he will probably try to find himself in Triple-A.
Manny Ramirez called out sick on Monday. He was feeling a bit run down with a sore throat so Terry Francona thought it was best if he stayed behind and got his rest. Probably a smart move because usually illnesses like that spread through the clubhouse quickly. No word though if Manny got the sore throat because of all the talking he has done to the media this spring.
Francona also said he pretty much has decided who is going to make up the 25 man roster to start the season. The one thing we know for sure is that whomever is the 12th pitcher, he will be the first one to be sent down when Mike Timlin returns from his stint on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. Most of the 25 man roster will travel with the team to Philadelphia for the two games this weekend with the exceptions of Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, and Tim Wakefield. Beckett will get his work in on Friday against some minor leaguers and Wakefield will get his work in on Sunday before joining the Red Sox in Kansas City Sunday night. 38pitches.com will fly into KC on Saturday at some point.
While in Philadelphia, the Red Sox will throw Julian Tavarez on Friday night and Daisuke Matsuzaka on Saturday night. Matsuzaka will throw probably 40-60 pitches while I would have to think that they will let Tavarez go for as long he can as they try to stretch his rubber arm out.
Right now these are the pitching matchups for the first six games:
Kansas City Royals
- Game 1: Curt Schilling vs Gil Meche
- Game 2: Josh Beckett vs Odalis Perez
- Game 3: Daisuke Matsuzaka vs Zack Greinke
Texas Rangers:
- Game 1: Tim Wakefield vs Robinson Tejada
- Game 2: Julian Tavarez vs Kevin Millwood
- Game 3: Curt Schilling vs Vincente Padilla
