Bradenton FL — Pittsburgh Pirates closer Octavio Dotel sat out today’s first full squad workout, with what is being regarded as an upper body injury.
Dotel indicated today that he felt some discomfort during Sunday’s throwing session and felt even more discomfort on Monday, prompting the Pirates to shut Dotel down for the next couple days.
Pirates manager John Russell claimed after today’s workout that Dotel is listed as day-to-day. A source said Dotel’s discomfort is in his rib cage area.
The team is not concerned about Dotel as the plan over the next couple weeks was for Dotel not to throw much anyways.
Tuesday Practice Notes
*Today marked the first full squad practice of spring training but today was mostly a media day for Pirates management.
In spring training there is the notion that everyone has a chance and optimism was brewing from the likes of Neal Huntington and Frank Coonelly this afternoon.
Coonelly touched base on a number of issues, including making a bold statement that the Pirates future is now and that “2010 is the beginning of the next dynasty of the Pirates.”
Coonelly claimed that he told the players this morning that management is not willing to sacrifice the 2010 season.
*15 pitchers threw 40 to 50 pitches today. Jeff Sues, Charlie Morton, Wil Ledezma, Zach Duke, Ronald Uviedo, Daniel McCutchen, Ramon Aguero, Brian Burres,, Ronald Uviedo, Brian Bass, Evan Meek, Jean Machi, Vinnie Chulk, Brendan Donnelly, Jeremy Powell, Javier Lopez.
*Reliever Brendan Donnelly only threw about 15-18 pitches from the mound today. Like Dotel the Pirates are going to limit him due to his age.
*Garrett Jones spent most of the fielding sessions at first base. Tomorrow he will work in at right field.
*Andy LaRoche was first on the depth chart at third base, followed by Neil Walker.
Walker has entered spring training trying to win a roster spot at any position. On Sunday, Neil told me the coaching staff has yet to give him any indication on whether he will be used at second base but GM Neal Huntington announced today that Walker will see time at third base, catcher, right field and second base.
* It appears Carlos Garcia’s top two projects this spring will be Jeff Clement at first base and Delwyn Young at second base. Young has been working on the side extensively with Garcia, who is a former All-Star short-stop/second baseman.
*Injury Report*
*GM Neal Huntington announced today that reliever Joel Hanrahan had an MRI Tuesday on his strained elbow and the Pirates were pleased with the results. Huntington indicated there is no structural damage and Huntington appears optimistic that Hanrahan won’t have Tommy John Surgery.
*Utility infielder Ramon Vasquez Ramon Vazquez tested his injured knee for the second straight day, participating in infield drills.