With Ramon Ortiz getting most of the spring training ink with his flawless nine innings, unknown Rule Five pick Carlos Monasterious has been relegated to the back pages. That might change after Carlos threw three hitless innings bringing his own scoreless streak to eight innings. Total line in the spring so far for Carlos sits at eight scoreless innings, while giving up only two hits. Throw in just two walks with five K's and you have a guy who is going to be very hard to give back to the Phillies.
DJ Houlton back in 2005 was the last rule five pick to stick with the Dodgers all season. That was a bad team so a rule five pick is not unusual but it is unusual for a competitive team so the odds are stacked against Monasterios being able to stick all year, but he is making a case to at least make it opening day. I doubt he can find his way into the Dodger rotation but it is looking more and more likely that Carlos Monasterios is going to be in the Dodger plans for 2010. Heck he may even replace his countryman if Belisario never finds his way to Camelback. I'd love to give you a scouting report on what he's been throwing but I've yet to have had the opportunity to see him pitch.
Ex Giant Russ Ortiz had his own scoreless streak going as he started the game. He extended that scoreless streak two more innings before it came to and end. At the end of his four innings, Ortiz had given up two runs, on six hits, and two walks. Eight base runners in four innings is more in line with our expectations for the Ex- Giant.
Russ Ortiz was followed by Ramon Troncoso, who was profile earlier today by Michael White. Troncoso was treated rudely by ex Dodger failure Andruw Jones who slugged a booming three run home run off of him giving the White Sox the final three runs of the their five for the day in route to a 5 - 1 victory.
The Dodger lone run came on a long home run by James Loney. It was the 1st home run for Loney this spring and was all the offense that the Dodgers could manage today against Peavy and company. No surprise that Peavy shut us down, he's been doing that his whole career. Nice to know that once the season starts we won't have to face him during the regular season.
Don't forget to join TBLA March Madness and make your reservations for the First TBLA Dodger Game on May 1st
Also, Eric is headed for Camelback ranch for several days of on the site reporting. Be sure to check in as Eric has his press pass in hand, and a driver to take him wherever he needs to go to even if that means Valenzuela to find out what he heck is going on with Belisario.
Update:
Joe Torre quotes after the game:
On Monasterios:
He hasn't done anything wrong. The fifth starter should just go out and pitch and give us a chance to win.
On Russ Ortiz:
He wasn't sharp today but minimized the damage.
Sherrill I thought was smoother today, Brox I thought was a little out of sync.