True Blue LA tells us that the last major decisions have been made with regard to the 2010 Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Joe Torre named Blake DeWitt as the starting second baseman, and knuckleballer Charlie Haeger gets the last spot in the rotation. Haeger is pitching tonight, in the Dodgers' return to LA for a tune-up against the Indians.
Dodgers Knuckle Down: Fifth Starter And Second Baseman Announced
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Dewitt could join a pretty exclusive group: only two players in team history have made Opening Day starts for the team at both second and third (Junior Gilliam and Jackie Robinson). Dewitt's chances, however, may be lessened as LA faces a left-hander, in Pittsburgh's Zach Duke, and it's possible Joe Torre may opt for a right-hander, in Ronnie Belliard or Jamey Carroll. Not including Thursday's outing, Haeger pitced 11.1 spring innings, and had a 2.38 ERA, with five strikeouts and 11 walks.
↵That would indicate a wild lack of control for any other kind of pitcher, but is likely about par for a knuckeballer. It’ll certainly be something for the rest of the West to think about, as outside of Tim Wakefield and R.A. Dickey, there are not many practicing the black art at or near the majors right now.
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