David M Warren/Staff Photographer Philly.com
So now that Michael Martinez will be starting the season on the Disabled List, where do the Phillies turn? Martinez was figuring to get plenty of playing time filling in for Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley, but when Utley left camp on Monday because of the continual problems with his knees, Martinez became much more valuable to the Phils.
The Phillies healthy infielders are Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Freddy Galvis, Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome, Pete Orr and Hector Luna. Orr and Luna are not locks to make the team out of camp unless the Phillies don’t find another infielder outside of camp. Orr has had time with the Phillies in the past, and Luna has had a productive Spring with the Phillies in belting two homers, and is among the team leaders with 8 RBI.
Outside the organization the Phillies have been linked to Mike Aviles of the Red Sox, Maicer Izturis from the Los Angeles Angels, but both would need to be acquired via a trade as the Phillies have very little money to work with at this point. The team says that they feel comfortable with their internal options, but we’ve heard that before. I just wouldn’t expect them to jump the gun. They have some time, and have some time before they need to make a move. I would not be surprised if they start the season with what they have, and see how Galvis performs before the decide weither to add another utility player.
Martinez isn’t exactly irraplaceable, but with the current woes in the infield, it’s just one more thing to have to deal with.
(Makes you wonder why the Phillies traded Wilson Valdez)
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Tags: Chase Utley, Disabled List, Freddy Galvis, Hector Luna, Injuries, Injury, Jim Thome, Jimmy Rollins, Michael Martinez, Pete Orr, Phillies, Placido Polanco, Ryan Howard, Ty Wigginton
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