Around NL West Spring Training, 4/2: The Last Of The Pre-Season

Diamondbacks Manager AJ Hinch spoke to mlb.com, discussing a nunber of issues including whether Juan Gutierrez would be the set-up man. “He’s going to pitch important innings.. On days that Chad Qualls isn’t available, he’s our ninth-inning guy. On days when the eighth inning matches up well for him, he’s our eighth-inning guy, and there may be an out or two in the seventh inning I ask him to get.”

Dodgers Alyssa Milano is concerned. One of the Dodgers’ biggest celebrity fans thinks “It’s going to be a rough year. Granted, I always go into the season as a pessimist. Hopefully, I’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Milano has had season tickets at Chavez Ravine for the past seven years, and tries to get to 40 games or so a season. “There is no better place to be than in the ballpark in your town. It’s a sensory experience.” The same might be said of Ms. Milano.

Giants Barry Zito’s last tune-up before the regular season did not go well. His old team-mates in Oakland hammering out 17 hits against Zito and the Giants ‘pen, as they blanked SF 9-0. Zito allowed seven hits and a walk in three innings, giving up five earned runs, but was largely unbothered. “My timing was off… A couple of things I’ll clean up before my next start,” he said.

Padres Gaslamp Ball are sad over the axing of the popular 5-for-$5 concession offer which ran at Petco last year. Club president Tom Garfinkel said, “It caused lines. A lot of people just wanted a hot dog and a drink, instead of all five items.” However, jbox wishes “that there was some kind of $5 deal,” but is pleased the Padres are still allowing fans to bring in their own food.

Rockies Closer Huston Street is slowing down his rehab program. He has twice had to stop throwing due to inflammation and tightness, so is now working on strengthening the muscles behind the shoulder. The aim is that when he returns to throwing, those muscles will then be better able to cope with the exertion involved.