PT For Melky

It's sad that more playing time for Melky Cabrera is the first thing that came to mind when I heard that Bobby Abreu was out for couple of weeks, at least, with a strained oblique, but it's true. Abreu's bat, especially his 10-pitch at bats, will be missed, but any chance to get Melky in the field, at the plate and on the bases regularly can't be a completely bad thing.

I keep thinking that Torre is going to realize that Melky needs to play everyday, but even if he doesn't, I think there's a good chance he'll wind up with the most ABs of the four outfielders. The word around camp is that Matsui, Damon and Abreu will each get a day off per week. Add in fill-in stints for injured players, day after night games, games on turf and Melky will probably get a full season's worth of ABs. Hopefully, if Abreu's injury lingers into the regular season, which it may, Melky will make it impossible for Joe to take him out of the lineup, and he'll give him the job he earned last year in left field.