Did Hendry and Baker Even Talk About Hill?
Bobby Hill was called up on Monday ostensibly to be added to the third base mix and to give Mark Grudzielanek a day off here and there (though I noted then that Hill will likely be the one to be sent down once Hee Seop Choi returns from his rehab assignment). Yet the only action he’s seen in the three games he’s been with the team has been one pinch-hit at-bat, in Monday’s game. And it doesn’t appear that Hill will play Thursday either, as Ramon Martinez is slated to get the start at third.
In fact, comments by Dusty Baker in Thursday’s Chicago Tribune lead to the conclusion that Baker and GM Jim Hendry didn’t even discuss Hill’s call-up:
“He hasn’t played enough third for us to feel comfortable. Plus, Ramon [Martinez] is playing third [Thursday] and Ramon has done a good job.
“You just don’t force guys in the lineup because of whatever their name is.”
So if Baker doesn’t feel comfortable putting Hill at third, and there’s been no indication that he’s in Chicago to do anything else (after all, Grudzielanek is having a “phenomenal” year), what is he doing on the big league roster?