Monday, March 29, 2010

Mientkiewicz seeks his release... and is denied

Doug Mientkiewicz has seen the writing on the wall. After being told that Garret Anderson would be the primary left-handed pinch-hitter (pretty much a given when he was signed), Mientkiewicz assumed he had been released and left camp.

The problem is, the Dodgers did not actually release him. They now want him back to camp as insurance for an Anderson injury. As a result, Mientkiewicz is not a happy camper and has asked for his outright release.

It's an understandable request made by Mientkiewicz, who's only looking for a Major League job. But the Dodgers can legally hold onto him until Friday when his opt-out clause kicks in from his Minor League deal he signed in the offseason.

Who knows if there's more to the story than this, but it sure looks like the Dodgers are being pretty petty here. Just let the man go. He was offered a coaching position, but he doesn't want that. And who can blame him. If he thinks he can still play, then let him find his chance.

Hopefully something positive can be worked out here, because he's reportedly still in Arizona.

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