Balfour, Dohmann pitch for last spot in bullpen

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

WINTER HAVEN – With cuts expected Friday morning, you could view Thursday’s game against the Indians at Chain O’Lakes Park as a final audition for Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann, the candidates for the final spot in the rotation.

“They have to pick one of us,” Balfour said.

Neither right-hander made the decision for manager Joe Maddon.

Balfour, who was having the best spring of the two, walked three straight batters in the sixth inning, including Jason Tyner with the bases loaded.

“I don’t know where that came from,” Balfour said. “Maybe I was thinking too much and put too much pressure on myself. I’m annoyed at myself, but I don’t know if that means I’m still on the team or not.”

Dohmann came in from the bullpen to record the final out and threw a perfect seventh inning to lower his ERA to 8.74, which tells you what type of spring he was having prior to Thursday’s game.

“It was a big part of the game, and I’m glad they went to me,” Dohmann said. “I’ve done that a couple of times last year and it was good to get into that situation. To get it done is a good feeling.”

Both pitchers are out of options, meaning they would have clear waivers before they can be reassigned to Triple A Durham. Since both have major league experience, there’s a good chance whomever is exposed to waivers will get picked up by another team.

“I’d like to stay here. I like it here a lot,” Balfour said. “If for some reason I have to go to another club, that’s what I got to do, and I’ll give it 100 percent for that other team. If they don’t choose me, I’ll have to admit, I’d love to go to another club. You want to pitch in the big leagues. I want to pitch in the big leagues here.”

Said Dohmann: “What they have going on is very positive. To be a part of this team would be great. But at the same time it’s a business and things happen and it’s always good to be wanted if it comes down to it.”

Balfour, acquired from Milwaukee last July in a trade for Seth McClung1-0 with a 6.14 ERA in 22 games for Tampa Bay. Dohmann, who spent have the season at Triple A Durham, was 3-0 with a 3.31 ERA in 31 appearances for the Rays.

Maddon has said much of the decision will be bases on their work at the major league level, but spring training counts for something, too.

Another scenario is the Rays optioned J.P. Howell to Durham since the left-hander has another option and keep Balfour and Dohmann.

“We’ll just have to go back and discuss it a little more,” Maddon said.

Neither pitcher said they’ve thought about the possibility of being placed on waivers or even the fact the competition for the final spot came down to them.

“I came to camp, and I see myself being on the team,” Balfour said. “Whether or not they see me being on the team is a different story.”

Said Dohmann: “Grant is not going to step in that box against me. That’s not who we’re competing against. We’re competing against the hitters. Our job is to get three outs or more that day if the need us to that day, it’s not against each other.”

Balfour pitched in 10 games this spring. He looked sharp in the first nine, before struggling against the Indians.

“It’s tough to go out and pitch every time wondering if you’re on the team or off the team,” Balfour said. “It’s tough, I must admit. It would be nice to know you can out there and relax. You can pitch much easier, I must admit.”