"Domonic Brown is going to come in here and get a chance to play, and he has a lot of ability," Manuel said. "The more experience we can get him in spring training, the faster he may be able to be an everyday player in the big leagues. If he has a good spring and he makes our team, I'm looking at a guy who is going to get 350, 400 at-bats. That's a minor-league season. In a first year in the big leagues, that's good."
Manuel pointed to his use of other rookies while with Cleveland, like Jim Thome (321 AB in his first extended major-league time), Manny Ramirez (290 AB) and Mark Lewis (314 AB).
"They held their own," Manuel said. "A good year for Domonic would be that. That doesn't mean to say . . . if he plays excellent, he may get more at-bats."
Basically, the manager stressed the need to have a righthanded bat to complement Brown if he faces most of the righthanded pitchers. Ben Francisco is the primary candidate. John Mayberry Jr. has a chance to be a bench player.
"Francisco and Mayberry, they're going to get a good chance to play," Manuel said. "I think it's time we give Ben a chance. We look at Mayberry as someone who can make our team and be productive in a role."
Extra bases. Antonio Bastardo has been limited in camp with inflammation in his left elbow and then a stomach illness, but he is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday for the first time, pitching coach Rich Dubee said. Bastardo is the lone pitcher in camp who has yet to throw off a mound. . . . All 59 players have arrived and are accounted for. The first full-squad workout is Saturday. . . . The five starting pitchers hit the links for nine holes at Innisbrook with John Smoltz to tape a segment for MLB Network.
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb
at mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow him at twitter.com/magelb.
