Q. Dan, now that the decision's been made on Bryan not being on the roster, what can you tell us about his progression and what you guys might hope for a potential return for him at some point in the postseason?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. You know, obviously a tough decision and one that we weighed very carefully, but we just felt like he had made strides as we had hoped and got to a place, but it just looked like it wasn't going to be able to be in this series. So I think doing the more cautious thing and making sure he gets healthy to where he needs to be. So that was kind of what went into the decision.
And, you know, obviously he continues to get better and continues to progress, and we'll just keep going, keep watching it as we go. But a tough decision for sure, but one I think that makes the most sense.
Q. Dan, you finalized the roster. Can you kind of walk us through the last couple spots? You decided to stay with the three catchers. What kind of went into the last couple spots and how you wanted to do things?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. I think obviously the three catchers we've had here the last month of the season or so since Harry got here, as we've noticed, it does provide a lot of flexibility and gives you the ability to pinch-hit a little bit more and be more versatile with that and not putting yourself at risk, so to speak, with having that catcher, you know, out of the game. So that's been a big luxury.
And then keeping Benny Williamson, a guy that was with us most of the season, played a great third base all year long, and provides a little bit more right-handed hitting for us, keeps us a little bit more balanced on the bench. Those are the things that weighed most heavy.
And I think we're really excited about the roster we have. Some tough decisions, clearly, but the way it's shaped up, I think we're in a really good spot.
Q. (Off microphone) situation come into all this too when you're making the decision?
DAN WILSON: I mean, it's obviously a possibility, and, you know, it's something to think about for sure. And, you know, you have to sort of weigh as much of this as you can, all the unexpecteds. And again, it did play a factor, but obviously having balance on your bench was big, and having Benny here was a big part of that.
Q. Dan, with Bryan being out, how could that impact Bryce's usage, whether it's out of the bullpen or potentially being used in a start later in the series?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. That's kind of what we're looking at as we go here. And, you know, I think that's obviously the big question here going forward now, is we have the four starters here for this series, and we'll just have to keep watching this as we go.
And, you know, obviously the hope was that we were going to have Bryce in the bullpen. So we'll just have to kind of weigh that versus whether or not he's going to have to start down the line. So we'll keep looking at it and keep watching it as we go.
Q. Will you have Gilbert starting Game 3, or will he be available in the pen, these two?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. We're -- you know, we're looking at -- our focus really is tonight, and we're looking at that and trying to take it all in as we go, and The Rock on the hill tomorrow.
So those are the two that we've got at this moment, and we'll just keep focusing on what we have to do tonight, and we'll keep, you know, figuring it out as we go.
Q. Will they be -- you're not saying one way or the other if they'll be available in the bullpen?
DAN WILSON: I think in terms of our bullpen, where we're at in terms of our rest, I think we're in good shape with our bullpen, so we'll -- you know, I think that's how we're looking at it tonight.
Q. Dan, we saw Gino taking some work over at first base in the scrimmages. I guess how much of an option is he if Josh has to leave, and how do you feel like his comfort is over there?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. Gino played a little bit of first for us throughout September, once in a while had to go over there and fill in.
And I think in terms of being versatile, we talk about that a lot as one of our strengths, and his ability to be able to go over there maybe in a pinch is something that we always want to entertain. So his ability to do that in the scrimmage there just to get some reps over there was super helpful.
So we don't know what lies ahead. You never know what lies ahead in some of these games, but his ability to go over there and to be able to have either Rivas or Benny at third base really helps too.
So again, creating as many options, creating as much versatility as we can is really the point.
Q. The trend has been in the playoffs to be really aggressive in bullpens, but you have a lot of faith in your starters, so how do you balance how aggressive you'll be versus the trust you have in those guys?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. We have trust in the starters and we have trust in our bullpen too, so it does make for -- in some ways it's a luxury to have those decisions. In some ways it makes it more difficult.
But I do think that in a playoff setting, when you're never more than three days in a row, it does set up your bullpen and does set you up to be a little bit more aggressive. But we do have trust in our starters and relievers, so we'll just continue to move forward as we have.
And we talked about it prior to the game, how we want it to look, and assess it during the game, and it's just one of those things that you constantly weigh, and I think that's what we're going to have to do here at this time.
Q. Just to follow up on Bryan, if you did advance, what's your confidence level that he could be ready by the ALCS?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. That's the hope, for sure. He's continuing to progress as we had hoped, and we talked about that up until this point it's gone pretty smoothly. No setbacks, and I think as long as that continues, I think we'll probably be in good shape at some point in the ALCS. And that's the hope at this point.
So that's where we're at, and I know that's tough on Bryan. He's had an incredible season, and I think, you know, wants to be out there competing. You know that. You see that in him, but wanting to do it and make sure he's healthy to a point where he can do that is our priority, and right now it kind of looks like we're hoping at some point in the ALCS.
Q. You answered most of that, but just to confirm, he came out of his bullpen session and throwing session okay from the last day? a
DAN WILSON: Oh, yeah.
Q. Does he go on a regular just throwing schedule now to get ready?
DAN WILSON: Yeah. Again, it's -- you know, yesterday was kind of a rest day for him, and today's another day, where we see how he bounced back and continues to work that progression.
You know, our medical staff does such a great job with that, and they'll be all over it and on top of it and keeping him moving forward and keep -- I think the communication there is so vital to hear how the response is, and I think it's been good up until this point, and it just will continue to progress.
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