Benitez to the DL

[Bosy Billups]

"OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Barry Bonds played nine solid innings and looked ready for the regular season. The San Francisco Giants only wish they could say the same about Armando Benitez.

After Benitez was rocked for four runs in the eighth inning of the Giants' 14-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, San Francisco announced its closer will start the season on the disabled list."

This is definately for the best! He will be back in 2 weeks.

[Tread42]

So does Worrell do the closing in San. Fran in Benetiz's absence?

[Mr. Goodwrench]

It will be up to Tyler Walker or Worrell with no clear choice. I am leaning toward Walker myself. I have Benitez so I am on top of it! Stay tuned.

[West Coast Fan]

Worrell gave up 4 doubles to the A's on Saturday. I was listening on the radio and most of the doubles were hit hard. I'm concerned. I have Worrell in a couple of my leagues. I figure he has the inside track compared to Walker, but not sure after today.

Rain is expected on Sunday, and even if they play, Worrell won't pitch two meaningless games in a row.

Guess we'll have to see what happens on Monday vs San Diego. Peavy vs Schmidt.

[paintingthecorners]

An interesting tidbit from giants.mlb.com, which pushed me to Worrell

"While not committing to a definite ninth-inning option in Benitez's absence, Alou continued to tout veteran right-hander Tim Worrell's 38-save season in 2003, before he left the Giants for Philadelphia as a free agent. Worrell was re-signed last offseason to be a setup man, and he would have preferred that Benitez was healthy. "I'll do what I can to get outs no matter what inning I'm pitching," Worrell said. "But we need Armando back.""

I don't think it tells us anything definitive but its certainly may give a hint on where Alou is thinking.

[West Coast Fan]

BTW, the radio guys were talking about Worrell being much happier in SF than he was in Philly. For what it's worth, they seemed to think that he'll do well. Of course, he didn't do well on Saturday, but I'm hoping that he does well once the season starts.

[rbphilly72]

Worrell should be an acceptable fill in closer, both for the G-Men and for fantasy teams. He'll certainly be a step up from Tyler "Rocky Biddle is my mentor" Walker.

[Richie Rich]

It will be up to Tyler Walker or Worrell with no clear choice. I am leaning toward Walker myself. I have Benitez so I am on top of it! Stay tuned.

keep me updated man i just picked up worrell for now...dropped devine due to not making the big team as yet