Friday, March 4, 2011
Posted: 5:32 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
BRADENTON, Fla.Wilson Valdez could end up seeing time at six positions for the Phillies this season. Heck, with his good hands, its not difficult to envision him picking up a first basemans mitt and getting an inning or two over there, as well. That would make it seven positions.
Valdez was a lifesaver at three positions in the Phillies injury-ravaged infield last season. He will once again fill in at second base, third base and shortstop this season, and he could see time in the outfield, too.
Valdez, who has played four games in the outfield in his career, started in rightfield against the Pirates on Friday. He had three hits, raising his spring average to .417, and gunned down a runner trying to go from first to third on a base hit.
Valdez played five innings in centerfield on Thursday. Funny thing was, he wasnt even supposed to make that trip to Fort Myers. He jumped on the bus by accident, depriving himself a short day back in Clearwater, and made the 2-hour trip to Fort Myers.
Thats OK, he said. I like to play. If I didnt go, I would have just ended up sitting around the house.
MLB
The Phillies won the game, 7-4, on the strength of 14 hits, including a long, opposite-field home run by Ryan Howard.
Non-roster player Delwyn Young played well at second base. He also plays the outfield and is a candidate to win a job on the bench. Regular second baseman Chase Utley did not make the trip. He has missed all seven games with tendinitis in his right knee and there is no timetable for his return. Youngs ability to play second could be attractive if the Phils need depth in the infield because of Utleys condition.
As soon as Chase comes back, we all know hes playing second, Young said. I just try to do well while Im out there, whether its in the infield or outfield.
Pitching matters
Joe Blanton went 3 23 innings and nudged his pitch count to 55. He allowed four hits and two runs.
Lefty Antonio Bastardo, who had been slowed at the start of camp by a tender elbow, made his spring debut and struck out two in the ninth.
The Pirates used minor-league righthander Michael Dubee for two outs in the seventh. He is the son of Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee. The pitcher allowed a single and struck out one.
Up next
Roy Halladay makes the start against lefty Paul Maholm when the Pirates visit Clearwater on Saturday.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
Related: Salisbury: Utleys health is springs biggest issueBuy Phillies gear