The four-man race to fill the fifth starter's role is pretty much the most noteworthy element of spring training for the Phillies this year. All of the position players have returned other than Pat Burrell, whose former position isn't in question with the signing of Rrrraauulll Ibanez, so aside from some prospect watching and the question of the extra rightie bench bat, all eyes are on the 5-four.
Most fans think Chan-Ho Park will wind up being a long reliever, something he's clearly shown the ability to do, and that Carlos Carrasco will start the season in the minors, leaving the race to J.A. Happ and Kyle Kendrick, each of whom have pitched for the Phillies on the big league level. However, the Phils have given no indication that the race has been narrowed, and every signal that these spring training starts will be meaningful for all of the candidates.
Today, both Carrasco and Happ will throw, presumably in that order.
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Feel free to keep the internet-radio-less, office-bound drones in the loop in the comments today. Your batting order, via Zo:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Jason Donald, 3B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Ryan Howard, DH
5. John Mayberry, RF
6. Greg Dobbs, 1B
7. Marcus Giles, 2B
8. Jason Ellison, CF
9. Carlos Ruiz, C