Mike Morse suffered a hamstring strain that will keep him out of action for at least two weeks, Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters (including CSNBayArea.com’s Alex Pavlovic). That timeline essentially eliminates Morse’s chances of making the Giants’ Opening Day roster, bringing a sour end to what had been an impressive spring for the veteran. After signing a minor league deal with the Giants this offseason, Morse spoke openly about retirement if he didn’t make the team, though he isn’t yet sure if he’ll now pursue a Triple-A rehab assignment. “If it gets to that point, I’ll think about it, but right now it’s (about) how I feel every day. I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Morse said. With Morse and Mac Williamson both sidelined with injuries, Jarrett Parker is now the clear favorite for the starting left field job and the Giants’ extensive battle for bench jobs has somewhat narrowed.
Here’s more from around the NL West…
- David Dahl is still around 10 days away from resuming baseball activities after an MRI revealed that his right rib was still healing, Rockies manager Bud Black told media (including Nick Groke of the Denver Post). Dahl was revealed to have a stress fracture in his ribcage earlier this month, already leaving him questionable for the start of the season and the latest news should all but confirm Dahl for the 10-day DL come Opening Day. The 22-year-old was expected to be Colorado’s starting left fielder this season, though Gerardo Parra is slated to handle the job in Dahl’s absence.
- Could the Rockies go from arguably the league’s worst bullpen in 2016 to a potentially dominant pen in 2017? Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan thinks it could happen, though Colorado will clearly need a lot of bounce-backs and good health from Adam Ottavino, Greg Holland, and Jake McGee. All three pitchers have high ceilings, however, and with Carlos Estevez, Mike Dunn and others in the mix, the Rockies could make a big turnaround in their relief corps.
- There’s a small, if unlikely, possibility that the Padres will open the season with four catchers on the roster, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell writes. Austin Hedges is San Diego’s starter behind the plate, and Christian Bethancourt (who is out of options) is being tested out as a hybrid utility player able to catch, play some outfield, and pitch in relief. With Bethancourt being used differently than a normal backup catcher, that opens the door for Rule 5 pick Luis Torrens or Spring Training star Hector Sanchez to receive some playing time.
Bethancourt is fun and all but there really isn’t a logical case for him to be on the roster. Rather have Hector Sanchez on the roster and see if last years power surge is real. If Bethancourt gets through waivers have him just working fully on pitching
His bat
That’s why
He is gattis 2.0
Both homegrown cannot frame/catch from the braves system.
He is not Gattis, Gattis is a lot better than Bethancourt
Not at catching
Horrible
He’s actually an above average pitch framer. Horrendous defender though.
I agree. Give him enough at bats and he could be Gattis 2.0
Except Gattis can’t pitch.
Yeah that looks like they are kind of doing that without saying it, he only has 7 at bats this spring so far and 1 hit in those, granted it was a walk-off homer last night but the writing does look like its on the wall.
A full-time pitching transition should happen with the emergency option to hit or catch if a situation should arise. The whole Swiss army thing sounds good but is very unrealistic unless you were just very good at everything which isn’t the case with him and is why this experiment is happening in the first place.
Otani will be the guy who gets the first legitimate chance to do everything when he eventually gets state side.
Sanchez trying to sneak in
They want to keep torens switching it up with Beth and trying to trade
Always count on the Padres and Preller to amuse and entertain. Bethancourt in the pen…
Really a tough one for Mike Morse. He didn’t do much in his tenure with my Pirates, but I respected his positive attitude and willingness to take on whatever role was asked of him, and he actually did pretty well as a pinch hitter. I hope he sticks around and gets another chance in the bigs.
Don’t forget Jairo Diaz. He’s coming back from TJS and should be back around mid season.
Giants need to take Chris Marrero and Hernandez as their bench outfielders. Was pulling for Morse but that was more because I liked him in 2014, not because I realistically thought he would be good in 2017.
I was pulling for Morse, too, but even if he made the roster, I can’t imagine he could stay healthy through the entirety of the season. Hernandez unfortunately has looked pretty rough at the plate this spring.
As has Span. CF has me worried more so than LF.
I think Marrero should get a crack at the opening day roster. His power seems to be on the up and maybe he can come off the bench and be what Morse was in 2014. I don’t know about Hernandez considering his struggles at the plate, but his defense should make up the difference. If not, they could have Williamson come take his spot when he’s healthy.
It doesn’t seem all that long ago that padres fans were sure their team was ready to compete.
They should just keep Bethancourt as a pitcher. There’s no sense anymore in letting him catch.
I agree but not at the expense of a 25 man roster spot and one of 7 bullpen spots. That would mean a guy like Craig Stammen would get released more than likely after having a really nice spring training and deserving a spot, all for a project in Bethancourt on the mound.
He is essentially another Rule 5 guy, because if he doesn’t make the team in this hybrid role capacity we risk losing him by trying to sneak him through waiver to El Paso, gotta figure someone will take a chance on him.
Gives the club not much flexibility with roster control if you are carrying 3 Rule 5 selections and an out of options Hybrid player who needs to stay on the major league roster.
Our best bet is to wait until the day or two before the season starts when teams finalize their 25 man rosters and are set on the names, then try to sneak Bethancourt to AAA hoping someone just doesn’t have the available spot for him at that point.
Of all seasons this is the one to just let him pitch in a mop up role out of the Pen,PH,and Catch in emergencies.
It’s not like he’s taking a 25 man spot away from an all star or holding this years team back from contending.
And yet he’s a lot better at the baseball part
No, you should always value your assets accordingly. Stammen could get us back a mid tier prospect at mid season if he stays healthy and pitches like usual. The likelihood of Bethancourt actually being a average or better reliever? Extremely slim, if he doesn’t pass through waivers oh well. If he does let him pitch in minors and see what he does. Stammen is more valuable than him