Mar
25
2012

Torres “Touch And Go” For Opening Day

An article by Hojo's Mojo

While talking to reporters about the health of center fielder Andres Torres (calf strain), general manager Sandy Alderson described his chances for being ready on Opening Day as “touch and go”. He also indicated his preference for a “natural centerfielder” when the team breaks camp on April 4.

According to Terry Collins, there has been no improvement since Torres strained his calf and was pulled from a game six days ago. “He’s not a whole lot better,” Collins said.

The two options behind Torres are Scott Hairston and Kirk Nieuwenhuis who are both still out with oblique injuries. Hairston is expected to take batting practice today for the first time this Spring.

Jordany Valdespin will get the start in center field this afternoon, but Mike Baxter, Adam Loewen and Matt den Dekker are already getting reps in center with den Dekker being the only natural centerfielder among those players.

Den Dekker, 24, is considered a plus defender, but he struck out 156 times last season between Single-A and Double-A and is a poor hitter. Collins said while he is not leaning in any one direction, he feels most comfortable with Matt den Dekker right now because of his defensive skills. However, the strikeouts are a big concern.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

6 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey March 25, 2012 at 12:11 pm

Somewhere Capt Kirk is calling Jobu and giving him a bucket of KFC a Macanudo and some Tennessee Whiskey in hopes he takes his injury away.
Russell Zanca March 25, 2012 at 12:14 pm

What’s Pagan’s spring looking like?
t agee March 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Pagan’s having a really bad spring.

.191/.208/.319

If he was going well we’d have heard all about it, all day every day, just like with Fern, until his 2nd game.
- Russell Zanca March 25, 2012 at 3:33 pm
  
  Good, I ‘m glad.
  
  With a season like this coming, I’ll take all the Schadenfreude I can get!
  - Des March 25, 2012 at 5:29 pm
    
    You know we’re anticipating a bad season when we gloat at somebody’s misery. It doesn’t look good. Understandable I guess to feel good about bad luck.
any March 25, 2012 at 3:36 pm

based on last year’s performance in the minors, Dekker really looks like he needs some more work. I would expect a late ST pick up for a journeyman/AAAA good glove, not much hit CF guy (like Pridie was last year) to cover things at the beginning if torres can’t go.

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