March 17, 200620 yr Notes: Willingham close to return Catcher held out of Thursday's game for precautionary reasons By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Catcher Josh Willingham has been sidelined since Sunday with back spasms. (Gerry Broome/AP) VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Catcher Josh Willingham has been out of the Marlins lineup since Sunday because of back spasms. While he was cleared to play on Thursday, Florida opted to not take him on the one-hour bus trip to Dodgertown. "We're just being protective," manager Joe Girardi said. "He was OK to play today. But we're going to make sure that he is OK during the regular season. He will catch Saturday." On Friday, the Marlins travel to Fort Myers, Fla., to face the Red Sox. Willingham won't make that long trip. On Saturday, the Yankees take on the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Assuming there aren't any setbacks, the plan is to catch Willingham on Saturday and Sunday at home against the Mets. Willingham is competing with Miguel Olivo for the starting job. Both have been effective, making this battle one of the most interesting in camp. Willingham has appeared in eight games, and he's 8-for-16 with one home run and six RBIs. Early on, Girardi was rotating Olivo and Willingham every other game. Now, they both will be used on successive days. "Miguel played a few days in a row," Girardi said. "Josh is going to play a few days in a row. We'll eventually work up to three days in a row. It's hard because we have two catchers that need to play. We'll start stretching them out the last couple of weeks."
March 17, 200620 yr I read stuff like this and it just screams at me "put him in left field and let him catch one or two days a week". But as of this writing I'm declaring my blind and total approval of every decision Joe Girardi makes regarding players until at least the all-star break. If he wants Willy catching so be it.
March 17, 200620 yr I read stuff like this and it just screams at me "put him in left field and let him catch one or two days a week". But as of this writing I'm declaring my blind and total approval of every decision Joe Girardi makes regarding players until at least the all-star break. If he wants Willy catching so be it. Mid May for me. First year player draft is June 6th. Willingham satisfying one of the two positions for 5-6 years severly changes where you need to bring in talent. Who am I kidding, we are taking pitching.
March 17, 200620 yr The catching competition is really a fun one to watch. Girardi is probably in a no-lose situation in the short term. Either MO or JW will get the job done. Only two things to ponder....A) If we want the stick, are we willing to be patient with JW defensively? and B) long term for the organization, I think it makes more sense to let JW be the catcher. It sounds like he is progressing very well (maybe suprising a few critics) behind the plate!!
March 17, 200620 yr Thats awesome. But i would like to see josh willi in left and olivo behind the plate still. keep both bats in the lineup at the same time. and deal with the CF job alone between reggie reed aguila or a trade to be?
March 17, 200620 yr Thats awesome. But i would like to see josh willi in left and olivo behind the plate still. keep both bats in the lineup at the same time. and deal with the CF job alone between reggie reed aguila or a trade to be? exactly what im thinkin
March 17, 200620 yr Thats awesome. But i would like to see josh willi in left and olivo behind the plate still. keep both bats in the lineup at the same time. and deal with the CF job alone between reggie reed aguila or a trade to be? exactly what im thinkin I wouldnt necessarily call Olivo "a bat"
March 17, 200620 yr If we're building this team for the future, and Willingham is showing good progress and promise, then he should be starting as many games as he can handle behind the dish. His stamina might not be there this season, so by necessity Olivo will have to spell him more than usual.
March 17, 200620 yr Thats awesome. But i would like to see josh willi in left and olivo behind the plate still. keep both bats in the lineup at the same time. and deal with the CF job alone between reggie reed aguila or a trade to be? Olivo's a bat you want? Willingham's a bat you want playing a position that many .800 OPS guys can play?
March 17, 200620 yr Author The catching competition is really a fun one to watch. Girardi is probably in a no-lose situation in the short term. Either MO or JW will get the job done. Only two things to ponder....A) If we want the stick, are we willing to be patient with JW defensively? and B) long term for the organization, I think it makes more sense to let JW be the catcher. It sounds like he is progressing very well (maybe suprising a few critics) behind the plate!! Couldn't agree more, & welcome to the site. :thumbup
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