For the most part this spring, the Dodgers regulars have been given ample rest. When they play, it's usually for only four to five innings per clip, and even then Casey Blake, Juan Uribe, and Rafael Furcal have been only playing every other day. Still, several Dodgers are having some health issues this spring.
Casey Blake had an MRI this morning on his sore right side, as a precaution. Blake felt tightness in his back last week, then tweaked it on Saturday while trying to beat out a bunt. It was diagnosed as a ribcage injury, but the Dodgers want to make sure there isn't a more serious issue, and Blake is expected to miss a few more days.
Jay Gibbons has had an awful spring, on and off the field. Just as Cactus League games began, Gibbons had a bout with the flu that sidelined him for several days. At the plate, Gibbons has just two singles and a walk in 23 plate appearances, and has been dealing with vision issues. The eye troubles have become so serious that Gibbons will go see a specialist in San Francisco on Tuesday, per Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles.
To top it off, the Dodgers are being cautious with Juan Uribe, who has "general tightness" all over, per Jim Peltz of the Los Angeles Times. On the field the Dodgers lost to the Texas Rangers in Surprise Arizona, as John Ely gave up his first runs of the spring. Ely does have 10 strikeouts with no walks in 10 innings this spring. They play the Rangers again on Tuesday, followed by their only off day of the spring on Wednesday.
The regulars will begin to play more often, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. As a result, coupled with the fact that minor league games begin on Friday, several cuts will be made this week. Today alone, the Dodgers optioned pitcher Carlos Monasterios and reassigned pitcher Wilkin De La Rosa to minor league camp before the game, then after the game made six more cuts. Pitcher Javy Guerra, first baseman John Lindsey, and outfielders Jamie Hoffmann and Trayvon Robinson were optioned, and shortstop Dee Gordon and catcher Damaso Espino were reassigned to minor league camp after today's game, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The Dodgers now have 48 players remaining in big league camp, 23 pitchers and 25 position players.
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