SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Although Armando Benitez has so far given indications
that the Giants might have their answer for the end of the bullpen, the rest
of it remains up in the air.
Pitching coach Dave Righetti said Saturday that Benitez and lefty Steve
Kline are the only two relievers he could write in to the opening-day roster
now, barring trades or injuries.
Righetti added that Kevin Correia and Brian Wilson are close to having
earned spots. Beyond that, it’s a jumble for the final three spots in what
figures to be a seven-man bullpen.
Righetti mentioned Vinnie Chulk, Brad Hennessey, Jonathan Sanchez, Jack
Taschner, Scott Munter, Dan Giese, Scott Achison and David Cortes in the group
of hopefuls.
Righetti added that any non-roster players would be long shots. Achison,
Giese and Cortes are all non-roster players.
Chulk is also out of options, meaning the Giants could lose him if they
tried to send him to the minors.
Boil it down and it looks like Hennessey, Sanchez, Taschner and Munter are
fighting for the last two spots in the bullpen.
Hennessey gave up eight runs in three innings of the Giants’ 12-2
exhibition loss to the Rockies on Saturday in Tucson. He has an 11.45
spring-training ERA.
Munter also pitched in that game, allowing two runs, one earned, in one
inning. Munter has a 5.68 ERA this spring, but Righetti said he likes what
he’s seen.
”Munter’s done a good job,” Righetti said. ”He’s all the way back. He’s
better than he was when he left.”
Sanchez was considered a lock for the roster when spring began, either as
the fifth starter or a reliever, but that no longer seems true.
Righetti may have included him among those fighting for jobs just to keep
competition alive, or it may be in recognition of the fact that Sanchez had a
minor injury early in the spring and has come back slowly. Sanchez has pitched
only five innings, allowing six runs on 12 hits.
MORRIS’ DAY
Matt Morris gave up two runs in five innings in a Class-A game against the
Brewers in Scottsdale. Righetti said Morris, as a veteran, had earned the
right to avoid the four-hour round trip to Tucson with the rest of the team.
Morris admitted he was wondering if the Giants kept him back because they
were panicked over his 16.20 ERA through his first three starts, but Righetti
said that wasn’t the case.
Morris was better this time out. His curve was especially sharp. He said
his command of the fastball, especially on the outside corner to righties, is
not where he’d like it to be, but he isn’t worried about being ready for the
season. He just wants to get out of the low-intensity, hitter-friendly
atmosphere of the Cactus League.
”I want to get up (to San Francisco). … it’s something I’m looking
forward to and ready for,” he said.
Righetti said Morris also looks stronger now than earlier in the spring,
when he had lost 15 pounds because of illness.
”He just didn’t look well after all that sickness,” Righetti said. ”He’s
not going to make an excuse, so I’m making it for him.”
BRIEFLY
* Dave Roberts returned to the Giants’ lineup after being scratched because
of soreness in his chest a day earlier.
* The hearts of Giants executives must have stopped for a moment when Angel
Villalona, the franchise’s $2.1 million bonus baby, was hit in the head during
a minor-league exhibition game Saturday. The pitch hit him on the top of the
helmet, and the 16-year-old phenom trotted to first without hesitation.
* Barry Zito’s debut in a Giants uniform at AT&T Park will come on March29,
when he is scheduled to start an exhibition game against Seattle.
You can reach Staff Writer Jeff Fletcher at 521-5489 or
jeff.fletcher@pressdemocrat.com.
