BRADENTON, FLA. – With under two weeks remaining in camp, it's time to pay closer attention to roster-spot battles.
One decision manager Rocco Baldelli must make is how many pitchers he will take north. Will it be 11, 12 or 13?
"There's just way too much going on related to all that stuff to feel like we know what we are going to do at this point," he said. "It's too far off and there's too much going on to know."
The number he chooses will be based on performance as well as who is healthy and who is out of options. He also will consider there are five off days before April 12, which allows him to open the season with a four-man rotation and move the fifth starter into the bullpen.
The number of lefthanders in the bullpen for the long haul also is up for debate. Taylor Rogers is considered a lock. Adalberto Mejia, who has given up one run over five innings in camp, is out of options.
Gabriel Moya, slowed because of a sore shoulder, hasn't thrown in several days and has fallen behind. He made the Opening Day roster last year and pitched in 35 games.
"We're taking small steps right now," Baldelli said of Moya. "Again, no setbacks. But were making small steps going into next week and hopefully we'll know more by next week."
Then there's long shot Tim Collins, out to show he's put his two Tommy John surgeries behind him. He's given up two runs over four innings — including a home run — so far. But he did strike out the side in the eighth inning Monday against Detroit.
"You bring a guy in from the bullpen with his good breaking ball and good riding fastball, that's what you want to see," Baldelli said. "You want to see bats missed, and that's what he's done. He's shown us he can do it."
