Terry Collins is ruining Scott Rice's arm

I rarely question Terry Collins' managerial decisions, but it is worth mentioning that he is using Scott Rice way too often. Rice already has 32 appearances, and is 3-4 with a 4.00 ERA. This is his first Major League season following 14 years of minor league ball. Rice is on pace to appear in 96 games this year, which would push him past the franchise's current record of 92 appearances that Pedro Feliciano set in 2010. Of-course we all know what happen to perpetual Pedro.

If history repeats itself, then Rice will end up getting severely overworked, leading to a serious injury. Collins has done this before to his relief pitchers, such as Feliciano and fellow lefty Tim Byrdak last season. In 2010, as mentioned before, Feliciano racked up 92 appearances, which lead the league that year. After that season, the Yankees picked him up and realized that he was dangerously hurt following the heavy workload. Of-course, Feliciano is now back with the Mets, but he is in the minor leagues rehabbing and hoping to re-join the Major Leagues for the first time in three years. 

As for Byrdak, he couldn't even finish the 2012 season. By July he had already appeared in 56 games, and had anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder in August. Byrdak, like Feliciano, is rehabbing, but at 39 years old it is unlikely that he makes a big contribution to the team this season.

Unfortunately I truly feel like Rice is going down the same path. He wasn't a left-handed specialist in the minor leagues, and even though he got off to a nice start, it is obvious that he should not be used in that role. Rice is 31 years of age, and could be a nice fit for this bullpen as a long relief man. However, I would really like to see someone like Robert Carson for example, to get a shot as the left handed specialist. Granted, Carson has struggled in his brief MLB career, but getting a fresh arm out there is vital when it comes to preventing Rice from injuring himself. 

I know Collins is going to continue to run Rice out on the mound often, and there is really nothing the team can do until Feliciano and Byrdak return from their respective injuries. All I suggest is that he gives Carson more of a look in that role, because we'll never know what he can do until he is given the opportunity.