03-03-2009, 11:29 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Sean Marshall may be separating himself from the pack already in the battle for the fifth starter's job.
Marshall, the favorite coming into spring training, threw three hitless innings against Oakland in Tuesday's 6-4 victory at HoHoKam Park, reducing his earned-run average to 1.80.
"He has gotten stronger, more velocity and has as good a curveball as I've seen all spring training," manager Lou Piniella said.
Jeff Samardzija will start Wednesday night against the White Sox in Las Vegas, but may wind up in the bullpen on Opening Day. Chad Gaudin and Aaron Heilman also are getting starts, though both are pegged to the bullpen unless Marshall or Samardzija falter.
"Let's see how our bullpen stacks up here this spring," Piniella said. "We haven't really taken much of a look at it. I think Samardzija is in the mix for both. Let's see if he grabs himself a starter's spot here. I'm hoping."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Rich Harden will pitch a simulated game Friday. Piniella said he still will get six Cactus League starts. … Kosuke Fukudome is to be the starting center fielder against right-handers, though Reed Johnson said he would like to play every day. "I have confidence in [Fukudome]," Piniella said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link(Tribune)
Marshall, the favorite coming into spring training, threw three hitless innings against Oakland in Tuesday's 6-4 victory at HoHoKam Park, reducing his earned-run average to 1.80.
"He has gotten stronger, more velocity and has as good a curveball as I've seen all spring training," manager Lou Piniella said.
Jeff Samardzija will start Wednesday night against the White Sox in Las Vegas, but may wind up in the bullpen on Opening Day. Chad Gaudin and Aaron Heilman also are getting starts, though both are pegged to the bullpen unless Marshall or Samardzija falter.
"Let's see how our bullpen stacks up here this spring," Piniella said. "We haven't really taken much of a look at it. I think Samardzija is in the mix for both. Let's see if he grabs himself a starter's spot here. I'm hoping."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Rich Harden will pitch a simulated game Friday. Piniella said he still will get six Cactus League starts. … Kosuke Fukudome is to be the starting center fielder against right-handers, though Reed Johnson said he would like to play every day. "I have confidence in [Fukudome]," Piniella said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link(Tribune)
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