Dodgers Take On The Flu Bug, and the Snakes Today At Camelback

Carl Crawford made his Dodger debut yesterday afternoon, in their split squad win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Crawford batted lead-off and was the DH. Crawford was 0 for 3 with two grounders, and a pop-out in the Dodgers 11-1 drubbing of Milwaukee. Hyun-jin Ryu pitched 5.2 innings in that game, allowing just one run on three hits, while whiffing six to pick up the win. Adrian Gonzalez hit two home runs in the game. Mark Ellis also blasted a home run, and the Dodgers scored 11 runs on 16 hits. In the other game, the Dodgers were killed by Arizona 9-1. Ted Lilly pitched that game and lost. Not like the results matter all that much right now, I mean these spring games are very meaningless. All that is important right now is that the regulars get their playing time in, the pitchers get their work, and more rounds of cuts continue to shave off the excess flotsam from the roster. (We have learned that the Dodgers are planning on starting Greinke in a game on Wednesday. We’ll have more on this breaking news later.)

Mar 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers base runner Adrian Gonzalez (23) high fives third base coach Tim Wallach (26) after hitting a home run in the first inning during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers also made some more cuts today, but we’ll get to that in a few minutes here. First of all, there is no new news on Greinke. The Dodgers are still waiting on him. So far, no pain reported after his bullpen session yesterday. He made about 40 pitches reportedly, and felt just fine. The Dodgers are still considering putting him into a game sometime this week, if he feels ok. Greinke has only made two starts this spring, and pitched in only five frames.

In other minor news, Billingsley bruised his middle finger while attempting to practice bunting. Don’t worry he is ok. But it just goes to show you that no good can come from bunting, or from attempting to bunt. Nothing. Please stop bunting.

And can someone get the Dodgers some vitamin C or something? That dam flu bug continues to make it’s way around the Dodger clubhouse this spring. Starting pitcher Josh Beckett has come down with it. He was supposed to be scratched from his start today, but apparently he is going to make his start anyways. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get anyone else sick. Somebody needs to smuggle in some chicken soup into the Dodger dugout or something. (UPDATE) Sorry guys, but it appears that Beckett will be scratched from his start, and Josh Wall will start the game in his place. Beckett will instead pitch a simulated game on the backfields of Camelback.

The Dodgers play Arizona this afternoon at Camelback Ranch. Here is the Dodger lineup below. Carl Crawford is back in the lineup leading-off and playing DH today. It’s really nice to see Crawford finally playing in games and preparing for the regular season. You never know, he just might be ready to go by April 1. Most of the lineup is filled with regulars. Elian Herrera is playing left field. Alfredo Amezaga gets the start at second base. While Beckett will be on the mound for the Dodgers, Arizona will counter with Randall Delgado. He is the young pitcher they acquired in the Justin Upton trade with the Braves. The Dodgers are also expected to give right hander Peter Moylan some innings. The Dodgers are expected to use the bullpen to finish the game with Beckett being scratched because of the flu. Paco Rodriguez and Shawn Tolleson will also get some work in after Wall.

Dodgers Lineup vs. Arizona

Randall Delgado vs. Josh Wall

The game time is at 1:05 PM. You can check out the game online. I hope everyone didn’t drink too much last night on St. Patrick’s day. Nurse those hangovers! Be ready guys, Opening Day is in just under two weeks! Go Blue.