The Lenny DiNardo Blog

To The Bullpen

I have been a bad blogger.

Not only have I posted NOTHING at all. But I have failed to blog about Lenny's first big-league win, about David Wells's statement that he'd rather have Lenny get his starts if he doesn't feel up to par, and all the great Lenny quotes that have come out of the last few weeks.

My excuses: law school exams, the kentucky derby, the outer banks, this other kid that I'm trying to get out of jail, guided tour of the supreme court. Basically, I've been neglecting The Lenny DiNardo Blog for selfish, awesome reasons.

So, in another lame post, here's the most recent news: Lenny has been moved back to the bullpen. For a short time...mostly because of the rainout. Tito:

"Lenny goes to the bullpen for the foreseeable future," Francona said Sunday. "We'll have Clement on Friday in Philadelphia and then either Beckett-DiNardo or DiNardo-Beckett. They're going to pitch Saturday and Sunday. I just don't know what order yet."

So, here's a belated congratulations to Lenny on his first win. Only 191 more to catch Clemens and Cy Young.  I'll leave you with a good DiNardo quote. Upon hearing that last Saturday's victory was the first of his career:

''I was just sitting on the couch looking through the game notes [and realized it]," he said. ''Really cool."

Rainout Ripple

Lenny's start pushed to Sunday:

Instead of Matt Clement facing Toronto ace Roy Halladay (3-1, 2.84 ERA) tonight and Lenny DiNardo facing Josh Towers (0-5, 10.45 ERA) tomorrow, Beckett will face Halladay tonight in a marquee matchup, while Clement will oppose Towers.

DiNardo will be pushed back to Sunday against the Orioles on seven days' rest. Didn't seem to make much difference to him.

''All they told me is I'm starting Sunday," he said.

His reaction?

''OK, cool, I'll pitch again."

Tito: Lenny on 25-man Roster

Well, the pseudo-good-news is that Francona has confirmed that Lenny will be on the opening day roster on April 2d.  The pseudo-bad-news is that he'll likely be shipped back to Pawtucket on April 12 when Wells "recovers" from his injury and rejoins the team.

David Wells has agreed to start the year on the DL, pitch a minor league game Sunday, pitch April 7 for Pawtucket, then join the Sox rotation April 12. His absence will get the team to 26. Lenny DiNardo, Francona said, will be with the club as a seventh reliever until the 12th, when Wells comes off the DL.

''Boomer is all set," Francona said. ''We had a nice visit. I know he was disappointed, but I think it's in his best interests and ours."

For the meantime, Congratulations, Lenny. You beat out everyone you had to to make the club and you've had an excellent spring. Keep it up and you'll find yourself as the #3 Starter in Cincinnati in no time.