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Chris Capuano has approached this spring like any other, preparing to be a starting pitcher. However, that preparation could change in the next few weeks.
When manager Don Mattingly was asked last week about keeping all 8 potential starters on their same routine, he said "we're going to keep them on their program, it just depends where they get that work."
But Mattingly added there will be date soon when those opportunities for all 8 pitchers will grow fewer, "it starts to be a battle to get different guys innings. Innings are running out for certain guys,"
Capuano threw 60 pitches in his last Friday night and his scheduled to start on this Thursday against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch. After that, it remains to be seen, because the split-squad games will end after this weekend and at some point, the 5 starters that will be on track to pitch in April will have to start getting ready.
Capuano has been the one pitcher specifically not mentioned by Don Mattingly as not being unable in his opinion to warm up out of the bullpen. And with Greinke's status not quite known, the Dodgers could be reluctant to deal him.
There will be 17 days lefts of games after today's off day so the Dodgers don't have reveal their hand yet but if you are a hold'em player, let's just say the Dodgers are waiting for that turn card to show and after that, they will have only 5th street to see if they made the right play.
Trivia
Capuano leads all former Duke University pitchers with 69 wins, second on that list is another left-handed pitcher, former Angel Scott Schoenweis, who has 47 wins.
Contract Status
Capuano is in his second season of a two year contract and he gets $6 million this season, there is a mutual option for 2014 for $8 million dollars or a $1 million dollar buy out.
Previous Player Profiles
2012: Lefty Heaver with Knife Fever
Stats
| Year | Age | IP | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | FIP |
| 2010 |
31 | 66 | 2.86 | 7.36 | 3.95 | 4.22 |
| 2011 |
32 | 186 | 2.56 | 8.13 | 4.55 | 4.04 |
| 2012 | 33 | 198.1 | 2.45 | 7.35 | 3.72 | 3.95 |
| 2013 Projections - Age 34 Season | ||||||
| Source | IP | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | FIP | |
| Oliver | 175 | 2.47 | 7.45 | 3.49 | 3.60 | |
| ZiPS | 144 | 2.50 | 7.38 | 4.06 | 4.00 | |
| Pecota | 109 | 2.39 | 7.60 | 3.79 | ---- | |
2013 Outlook
Capuano is the swing man and my guess is he will pitch 66 innings in that role.
Be sure to guess how you think Capuano will perform for the Dodgers in 2013. Include ERA, number of starts, and whatever else you wish to guess.