Morse not calling it quits
Veteran to start season in minors, hopes to work his way back to big club
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Michael Morse knew his spring comeback attempt with the Giants would go one of two ways.
“It was either I have a good spring and make the team, or I realize that I need to get out of here and go home,” Morse said. “There was no in between.”
Life took a third path. Morse had a great spring, and then he pulled his hamstring. He was in line to win a job as a right-handed pinch hitter and occasional left fielder. Now he’s out of contention. But he proved enough to himself, and he agreed to keep the dream alive a bit longer.
Morse said he would remain in Arizona after the team breaks camp on Tuesday, and he hopes to be ready to play in games by the time Triple-A Sacramento begins its season April 6.
Morse knows there are no promises. The Giants’ roster needs change by the day. But he proved to himself that he still has something left.
“I’m not just going to leave these guys hanging,” Morse said. “I’m at least going to get healthy and see what happens. I don’t just want to end it being hurt.”
Morse, a 2014 postseason hero who drove in the tiebreaking run in Game 7 of the World Series at Kansas City, hasn’t played in the majors since the Pirates released him last April. His invitation to spring training grew out of an impromptu conversation with Giants general manager Bobby Evans at Hunter Pence’s wedding last November.
“This was to see if I had anything left,” Morse said. “Bobby told me, ‘At least you’ll know. You don’t want to go the rest of your life doubting your decision.’ So, you know, it was a good spring. But it was great being a part of this and seeing how I still fit with these guys in the clubhouse. That’s why I can’t just leave them hanging like this.”
Johnny Cueto provides endless entertainment when he faces major league hitters. Stick him in minor league camp for a day, and the interplay gets even better. Cueto toyed with an Arizona Diamondbacks A-ball squad on Saturday, holding them scoreless in seven innings, walking one and striking out 10.
It was a controlled environment, designed to let Cueto build his pitch count. So he did seven innings of work despite getting up and down just six times. In one inning, he worked so quickly that the Giants had him stay on the mound. He recorded six outs.
Cueto reported to camp 17 days behind schedule while tending to his father’s health, but there’s little doubt he is all caught up now. He threw 85 pitches — including 25 during his six-out inning — and proclaimed himself ready for the season.
“I feel good, I feel healthy and I feel strong,” Cueto said. “I was having fun with the kids who actually wanted to hit against me.”
Giants manager Bruce Bochy has informed several players remaining in major league camp that they won’t make the opening day roster, barring an injury or unforeseen circumstance.
But Bochy said he is planning to break camp Tuesday without making any more official cuts, taking all 38 players — including nine non-roster invitees — to the Bay Area for the final three exhibition games against the A’s.
It seems clear, then, that infielder Aaron Hill should bet on being a Giant to start the season. Hill would receive a $100,000 retention bonus if he remains with the team through Tuesday, and the Giants wouldn’t commit to that sum if he weren’t in their plans.
Hill has slowed down at the plate after a hot start. His average is down to .209. Bochy did not express concern, though.
“He’s trying to find his swing, but he’s a good hitter,” Bochy said.
While Hill continues to get regular at-bats, infielder Jimmy Rollins is mostly coming off the bench. The former N.L. MVP didn’t start Friday and didn’t play Saturday. He is hitting .083 this spring, and although he has looked OK at both middle-infield spots, it is hard to imagine a Bay Area homecoming for the Oakland native.
Rollins does not have a retention bonus in his contract but can opt out of the agreement on Thursday. Rollins has kept his career plans private in the event he does not make the club. If this is the end for the respected 38-year-old, though, there are worse places he could play a farewell game than in the last exhibition game against the A’s at the Coliseum.
After Cueto and Matt Moore start the first two Bay Bridge Series games at AT&T Park, top pitching prospect Tyler Beede will start the April 1 exhibition game at Oakland, Bochy said.
The Giants bullpen had a highly impressive day, holding the Padres to two hits in six shutout innings while the club rallied from a six-run deficit to take an 8-7 exhibition victory on Saturday.