Of all the final cuts from MLB camps, the termination of 2011 York (PA) Revolution southpaw Scott Rice was about as disappointing as any. Starting his 14th professional year without a regular season appearance in the majors, the 30-year-old was a candidate for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen until the final cut to make the 25-man roster when the 6-foot-6 Rice lost out to 24-year-old Josh Lindblom.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com.
“We went back and forth on it.” Mattingly had plenty of praise for Rice, who was 1-0 with a save and a 2.45 earned run average in 15 appearances for the eventual Atlantic League champion Revolution before the Dodgers purchased his contract last summer. Mattingly told The Los Angeles Daily News “it seems like he’s figured out who he is as a pitcher, and he’s been really impressive this spring. I’ve stood in (the batter’s box) against him, and his sinker dives straight down…he definitely has a big league sinker”.
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