The battle for the fifth starter's spot has come to an end, and Charlier Haeger has emerged victorious. Joe Torre made the decision on Thursday, the same day Blake DeWitt was named starter at second.
Haeger earned the job after an impressive spring. He made six starts and pitched 16 1/3 innings, posting a 2.20 ERA. He walked 11, but did strike out 15.
It's not like he was handed this job, because the other contenders did their part to make this a tough decision for Torre. Russ Ortiz had a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings, and Ramon Ortiz had a 1.02 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. With numbers like those, you would think they'll have some sort of role with the team going forward. At least one of them will.
In his young career with the White Sox, Padres, and Dodgers, Haeger has a 2-3 record with a 5.26 ERA. But, he was 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA last season, which earned him the opportunity this spring.
So the rotation is now set: Vicente Padilla, Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, and Haeger. There's only one lefty in there, but Haeger's knuckleball is definitely a different look anyway.
Haeger's first start looks to be sometime in Florida next weekend. He could be available out of the bullpen until then.
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