It’s the start of a new month. Spring training baseball is officially here (tomorrow), so let’s get it all started on the right foot wiht a return to the daily round-up.
1. The Phillies lost an exhibition to the University of Tampa
In the first game of the spring, the Phillies lost a 2-0 lead and gave up five runs in the seventh inning en route to losing to one of the top division 2 baseball teams in the country.
Phillippe Aumont did not have a good line, which is never a good way to start off another year wondering if he’ll come through to contribute. But hey, it’s one exhibition. Let’s see what else happens this month.
2. Phillies open Grapefruit League tomorrow
Two days after losing an exhibition, the Phillies open up the Grapefruit League schedule with a home game against the New York Yankees tomorrow afternoon. You can watch the game live on Comcast Sportsnet or catch a replay this evening on MLB Network. The Phillies get today off.
3. Cliff gets Tuesday start vs. Yankees
By all accounts, it looks like Cliff Lee will get the start on Tuesday. Hope he brings his magic 8-ball.
3. Pace of play clock makes debut
This season will see the introduction of a play clock in the minor leagues. The Phillies experimented with the clock yesterday against the University of Tampa. It was just one game, but Ryne Sandberg said it went largely unnoticed.
4. Phillies to re-focus on Rule 5 Draft process
The Phillies once hit it big in the Rule 5 Draft with guys like Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino. I am not sure how often Rule 5 players turn out to be such key pieces in a championship team, but I do know the Phillies could benefit from doing more homework with this process as it needs to rebuild the farm system.
5. The Phlowery Phillie Phanatic
Head on down to the flower show going on now in Philadelphia and you will see the Phillie Phanatic. Sort of.
6. Phillies pitchers get their juice on
Chip Kelly has the Eagles drink specially arranged protein milkshakes, and it seems to have some impact. So it is only natural the Phillies pitchers find ways to get juiced during spring training as well.
7. Rollins considered the Mets as a potential landing spot
Jimmy Rollins in a Mets uniform? Apparently Jimmy considered it as a possibility to play alongside David Wright before the chance to play for the Dodgers became a reality. Seeing Rollins’ name on any uniform besides a Phillies uniform is weird, but seeing him in a Mets uniform would have just been wrong on so many levels.
8. Padres sign Gillies
Remember Tyson Gillies? He was one f the prospects the Phillies received from the Seattle Mariners when Ruben Amaro traded Cliff Lee to restock the farm system when Roy Halladay was acquired. Gillies never made it to the big leagues but was signed by the San Diego Padres on a minor league deal.
9. Dodgers sign Mike Adams
Things never panned out for Mike Adams with the Phillies, but he’s not giving up on his career. Adams was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor league contract.
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