So I had a couple days off down here in Clearwater... it was a great mental breather, since working 30 of the next 31 days should be a blast.

It looks like the "big" news I missed while away from camp was an apparent shoulder injury to Shane Victorino. After seeing Victorino in the clubhouse this morning, I'm fairly certain this is nothing to worry too much about.

(And it was probably only headline-worthy "news" because, well, it's been quiet in camp recently and folks need something to write).

The access/time for the reporters in the clubhouse was somewhat limited today as the team preps for an early-start, early-finish workout to hit the greens in time this afternoon for the team's annual golf outing. Just about everyone involved with the team (players, coaches, broadcasters and management) play golf on the last day before games being each spring.

Anyway, it's not clear whether Victorino (who is on a team with Mike Schmidt, Chris Wheeler and Mick Billmeyer) will golf... or if he'll play in Wednesday night's exhibition against Florida State.

But from reading body language, it doesn't look like there's much to worry about concerning the All-Star center fielder's health status. He wasn't wearing a sling, he wasn't slumping in the corner of the clubhouse sulking and he wasn't in the trainer's room getting treatment during the 45 minutes the clubhouse was opened to the media before today's workout began.

Victorino spent most of the time jabbing with the press corps. The topic: speed.

Victorino conceded that new outfield prospect Tyson Gillies is faster than him... but he'd step on the line and race if called upon. Vic said the only guy he wouldn't waste his time racing was former teammate Michael Bourn (probably the fastest player in the game, in Vic's mind).


When told minor league speed demon Anthony Gose (76 SBs last year, most of any player in organized baseball) may be faster than all of the aforementioned players, Victorino again didn't shy away from a challenge... but also deflected the attention given to pure speed. His point: it doesn't matter how fast you are if you can't reach first base.

Back to Vic's ailing shoulder... here's what Charlie Manuel had to say Monday: "We’re taking it easy on him. There’s a little soreness in there and we just don’t want him to do too much in drills. He should be all right. It’s kind of typical. He could play (Wednesday), but I don’t know if I want him to."