Madson makes case to start

03/28/2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- Ryan Madson entered Tuesday night's start against the Yankees of the opinion this was his final chance to force his way into the starting rotation.
After going 6 1/3 scoreless innings, there's not much more he can do.
"I want to be part of this rotation, so I went out there with everything I had today," he said. "I knew this whole Spring Training was going to be tough with all these arms we have. I knew it was going to be my last start of the spring, so I wanted to make it my best."
Pitching against a Yankees lineup of mostly starters, Madson allowed just four hits in lowering his ERA to 1.89 and impressing his manager.
"He was tremendous," said manager Charlie Manuel. "As a matter of fact, he's pitched good all spring."
"Hopefully, they'll have no option but to leave me in the rotation," said Madson.
Unfortunately for Madson, the team may need him to return to the bullpen, despite lining him up to be a starter. The team has been searching for a seventh-inning reliever to replace Madson, and could that guy be ... Madson?
With Gavin Floyd pitching brilliantly and Ryan Franklin a reliable veteran who might not be as valuable in the 'pen, Madson's past success there could work against him.
Though Madson said he wouldn't be angry if he returned to the pen, his preference is to start.
"Hopefully, I'll be too valuable in the rotation, as I was too valuable as a reliever," he said. "It's not my decision. It's not something I think about. I just showed them what I can do as a starter and they have to make the decision."
Manuel said he has already made a decision, but wouldn't reveal it. Before the game, he officially named Jon Lieber as his Opening Day starter, and said Brett Myers and Cory Lidle will pitch the second and third games, respectively.
After that, only Manuel knows.
"I know what we're going to do," he said. "I'm just not ready to reveal it. What I'm saying is I'm not saying [anything]."

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/