azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Dan Zeiger, Tribune
Luis Gonzalez did not appear in the Diamondbacks’ game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in Tempe, instead taking batting practice, then leaving to return to Tucson.
It was one of the few games the veteran outfielder will miss the rest of the Cactus League season.
Playing designated hitter mostly this spring as he returns from 2004 elbow surgery, Gonzalez will start playing left field on a regular basis starting with today’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Tucson Electric Park.
"We’ll start running him out in a defensive role a lot more from now on," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "We’ll monitor it daily and see how he’s feeling, but now’s the time to get him out there."
Melvin said that it is also vital for Gonzalez, who is batting .258 (8-for-31) with three RBIs this spring, to build his on-field synergy with center fielder Jose Cruz Jr., a free agent signee who is succeeding Steve Finley.
For much of the last 11 seasons, Gonzalez and Finley were outfield mates, first with the Houston Astros, then for six years with the D-Backs. However, Gonzalez does not foresee any hurdles in developing a similar relationship with Cruz.
"Jose is veteran enough that I’m comfortable with him from the couple of games I’ve already played in with him," Gonzalez said. "I don’t think there will be a problem. Jose and (right fielder) Shawn (Green) played together in Toronto, so they know each other, too. We’ll all be fine."
BULLPEN DOINGS
Melvin will devote the remainder of spring training to finding roles in the bullpen.
Two spots are set: closer Greg Aquino and left-handed specialist Randy Choate. As of today, the other spots are projected to go to right-handers Mike Koplove, Oscar Villarreal, Jose Valverde and Brandon Lyon.
"All of these guys have the ability to be setup guys," Melvin said. "But we need to find who is going to be our fifth-inning guy and our laterinning guys. It’s important to have roles going into the season — even if they can change — so guys have an idea when in the game they will pitch."
Aquino, coming back from a strained flexor mass in his elbow, worked on Tuesday, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) in 2 /3 of an inning. Melvin pulled Aquino after he reached his target of 25 pitches.
"He was a little jumpy," Melvin said. "His velocity was good, but he was spinning out a little too early. Results aren’t what we’re looking for right now. We just want him to get his work in."
LET ME PLAY!
For the second time this spring, Troy Glaus approached his manager before a game and said he needed to play in the field. Originally slated at designated hitter on Tuesday, Glaus played third base and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against his former team.
"I need to get out there and get as many ground balls as possible, so when the season starts, I’m as comfortable as I can be," said Glaus, who is coming off right shoulder surgery. "The game is slowing down, and I’m reading the ball better. I still need improvement, but that will come."
WEBB UPDATE
For the second time in three days, an Arizona pitcher was perfect through the first four innings. Brandon Webb, like Javier Vazquez on Sunday, was less effective as his pitch count rose, but he declared the outing an overall success.
"I still felt strong, but they started hitting good pitches," said Webb, who threw 82 pitches. "I had consistent mechanics. I got to work the count, and it’s a lot easier when you can do that."
Webb allowed six hits and four runs with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings. He rarely fell behind hitters, and his trademark sinker induced ground balls early in the count.
"That’s when you know he’s going well," Melvin said.
AT A GLANCE
D-Backs 6, Angels 6 Notable pitching: Brandon Webb allowed six hits and four earned runs with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings. Greg Aquino allowed three hits and an earned run in two-thirds of an inning, and Mike Koplove retired all four men he faced. Notable hitting: Second baseman Craig Counsell was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Third baseman Troy Glaus was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Center fielder Jose Cruz Jr. was 2-for-4 with a double and sacrifice fly. Catcher Chris Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=38413
Luis Gonzalez did not appear in the Diamondbacks’ game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in Tempe, instead taking batting practice, then leaving to return to Tucson.
It was one of the few games the veteran outfielder will miss the rest of the Cactus League season.
Playing designated hitter mostly this spring as he returns from 2004 elbow surgery, Gonzalez will start playing left field on a regular basis starting with today’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Tucson Electric Park.
"We’ll start running him out in a defensive role a lot more from now on," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "We’ll monitor it daily and see how he’s feeling, but now’s the time to get him out there."
Melvin said that it is also vital for Gonzalez, who is batting .258 (8-for-31) with three RBIs this spring, to build his on-field synergy with center fielder Jose Cruz Jr., a free agent signee who is succeeding Steve Finley.
For much of the last 11 seasons, Gonzalez and Finley were outfield mates, first with the Houston Astros, then for six years with the D-Backs. However, Gonzalez does not foresee any hurdles in developing a similar relationship with Cruz.
"Jose is veteran enough that I’m comfortable with him from the couple of games I’ve already played in with him," Gonzalez said. "I don’t think there will be a problem. Jose and (right fielder) Shawn (Green) played together in Toronto, so they know each other, too. We’ll all be fine."
BULLPEN DOINGS
Melvin will devote the remainder of spring training to finding roles in the bullpen.
Two spots are set: closer Greg Aquino and left-handed specialist Randy Choate. As of today, the other spots are projected to go to right-handers Mike Koplove, Oscar Villarreal, Jose Valverde and Brandon Lyon.
"All of these guys have the ability to be setup guys," Melvin said. "But we need to find who is going to be our fifth-inning guy and our laterinning guys. It’s important to have roles going into the season — even if they can change — so guys have an idea when in the game they will pitch."
Aquino, coming back from a strained flexor mass in his elbow, worked on Tuesday, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) in 2 /3 of an inning. Melvin pulled Aquino after he reached his target of 25 pitches.
"He was a little jumpy," Melvin said. "His velocity was good, but he was spinning out a little too early. Results aren’t what we’re looking for right now. We just want him to get his work in."
LET ME PLAY!
For the second time this spring, Troy Glaus approached his manager before a game and said he needed to play in the field. Originally slated at designated hitter on Tuesday, Glaus played third base and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against his former team.
"I need to get out there and get as many ground balls as possible, so when the season starts, I’m as comfortable as I can be," said Glaus, who is coming off right shoulder surgery. "The game is slowing down, and I’m reading the ball better. I still need improvement, but that will come."
WEBB UPDATE
For the second time in three days, an Arizona pitcher was perfect through the first four innings. Brandon Webb, like Javier Vazquez on Sunday, was less effective as his pitch count rose, but he declared the outing an overall success.
"I still felt strong, but they started hitting good pitches," said Webb, who threw 82 pitches. "I had consistent mechanics. I got to work the count, and it’s a lot easier when you can do that."
Webb allowed six hits and four runs with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings. He rarely fell behind hitters, and his trademark sinker induced ground balls early in the count.
"That’s when you know he’s going well," Melvin said.
AT A GLANCE
D-Backs 6, Angels 6 Notable pitching: Brandon Webb allowed six hits and four earned runs with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings. Greg Aquino allowed three hits and an earned run in two-thirds of an inning, and Mike Koplove retired all four men he faced. Notable hitting: Second baseman Craig Counsell was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Third baseman Troy Glaus was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Center fielder Jose Cruz Jr. was 2-for-4 with a double and sacrifice fly. Catcher Chris Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=38413
