Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez to Miss First Start

Photo Courtesy of Angel Ibo Castillo

This page has received some scrutiny for being "down" on the Phillies new  Cuban right-hander, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. The truth is, MAG has been in Florida since last October, not just the last two weeks, and not a single bit of encouraging news has come from Clearwater. Obviously, things could turn out well, and Gonzalez would slide in as a solid number five starter.

However, with just about five weeks until the season begins and a tail-spinning outlook on Miguel, that's probably not the outcome. On top of that, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported today that Gonzalez, originally scheduled to make his debut on Thursday, will miss out because of an illness.

Salisbury says manager Ryne Sandberg told him that Miguel became sick and headed home early from Monday's workouts. Whatever said "illness" is will apparently hinder him through Thursday. It is still possible that Gonzalez makes his first appearance against the Yankees on Saturday, but that remains a question at this point. More news on the situation should become available over the next two days.