 
03/26/2003 3:15 PM ET
Giants outright first baseman Minor
Gallaraga will back up Snow; Christiansen on 15-day DL
| By Rich Draper / MLB.com |
 |
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants backup first baseman Damon Minor was outrighted to the
minor-league camp on Wednesday after clearing waivers, and vows he'll return to
the Major Leagues.
The Giants also placed left-handed reliever Jason Christiansen on the 15-day disabled list. He underwent ligament-replacement surgery last May 30.
"It's a numbers game and when you don't put up numbers you're not going to be
there," said Minor, 29, who struggled this spring with a .174 average and was
apparently beaten out by 41-year-old Andres Galarraga with his .263 mark and
three homers.
"I know I can hit, but I'll try to get back here," said Minor, who didn't play
winter ball for the first time in seven seasons to spend more time with his son
Jackson, born last June.
Damon Minor
/ 1B
|
|
|
 |
"You can't blame anybody but yourself," he added. "You're battling for a job but
you have a bad spring -- that's the way Spring Training goes. You can't do
anything about it."
Minor was yanked from Wednesday's starting lineup against Kansas City at
Scottsdale Stadium about an hour before game time, replaced by infielder Pedro
Feliz. Galarraga already was at Triple-A Fresno for another split-squad
game.
Earlier in the day, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said the backup position
behind starter J.T. Snow at first base would be settled "internally" and that a
trade was not imminent.
|
Andres Galarraga
/ 1B
|
|
|
|
Minor seemed the odd-man-out from the start of Cactus League play, and manager
Felipe Alou took an immediate liking to 17-year vet Galarraga, who despite his
age and considerable bulk (265 pounds) had a solid spring.
The emergence of Feliz as a part-time first baseman and emergency catcher -- he
was batting .405 with three homers and 12 RBIS this spring -- helped seal
Minor's fate.
One minute Minor is a Giant, the next he's out shooting his bow in the desert,
pondering his future.
"I had a fair share of at-bats (46) but didn't produce," he said. "I've been
with this organization my whole career and I'd like to stay here. But there are
30 other teams."
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
|
