Shane Victorino is activated from the DL and will be in the line-up tonight in Pittsburgh. That means that the starting line envisaged in spring training will be on the field together for the first time this year. Last year the regular starting line-up played together for maybe 15 games all season. Let's hope that will not be the case moving forward this year.
To make room for Victorino on the roster, John Mayberry, Jr. was optioned to Triple-A. No doubt there is a continuing hue and cry in the blogosphere about the move, where people are as exercised over Michael Martinez, this year's Rule 5 player, as they were last season about David Herndon, another Rule 5 guy. But really, Mayberry has not exactly seized the day, something we who watch him in Lehigh Valley keep waiting for him to do. Back in Triple-A, he will get another shot at that---and at hitting right-handed pitchers.
Martinez, a spark plug in spring training, has appeared sparingly during the season. For the time being, his Rule 5 status keeps him safe. So does the need for an extra back-up utility infielder.
