My Fellow Phans,
So, we have a bunch of roster moves and injury updates to throw at you – pun intended.
Well, let’s start with some good news. Chase Utley’s (pictured on right) rehab is going strongly down in Clearwater. Overall, Utley is hitting 6 for 24 (.250 AVG) in his appearance down in Florida. It seems more and more likely that Chase’s time for the Thrashers is nearing its end. This bodes will for a team in desperate need of an offensive boost. I will keep you updated on this situation.
Injured catcher Brian Schneider is also close to returning from an injury. He was placed on the DL on May 12th with a strained left hamstring. The Phillies believe Schneider can return sooner rather than later.
"I've been jogging outside, hitting in the cage," he said. "I don't know if I can be back in 15 days, but from how I felt then to how I feel now, I'm very happy with the way it's going. Very happy. I don't feel it walking or jogging. It's going in the right direction."
Here’s hoping that Schneider can come back ASAP.
Now for some less than positive news: The Phillies placed a player on the disabled list with another player to join the list shortly.
The player that was actually placed on the DL was centerfielder was Shane Victorino. Shane was hitting .284 with 6 homers and 19 RBIs this season before being shutdown with a strained hamstring.
To replace the speedy outfielder, the Phillies recalled an old favorite of many here, myself included, Domonic Brown. This has been the call-up that everyone has been waiting for. Brown has been tearing it up for Lehigh Valley hitting a robust .341 with a pair of homers and 10 RBIs in just 11 games played for the Iron Pigs. He will not be playing everyday, but should see a vast amount of at bats in Victorino’s absence.
The irony is that General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said on Thursday that Brown would not be called up to replace Victorino. I guess things have changed. Amaro was stated saying that he didn’t believe Brown was ready to do it. Well, turns out, Brown is here and ready to play.
While he is not currently placed on the DL, the other player that is going to be placed on the DL is Joe Blanton, surprise – surprise. Big Joe seemed to rush back from his previous injury and ended up hurting himself yet again. Blanton was supposed to pitch yesterday’s game against the Rockies, but threw just 20 pitches before realizing that he couldn’t possibly go any longer. The righty just couldn’t shake soreness in his pitching elbow and pulled himself from the scheduled start. The Phillies are looking to hold off on officially putting him on the DL until his next listed start in order to grant the right-hander more time to heal.
Another roster move was made today when the Phillies demoted reliever Scott Mathieson while recalling David Herndon. Mathieson has pitched just 3 innings this season without allowing an earned run, while scattering 5 hits and striking out 3. Herndon pitched in 11 games this season allowing 11 earned runs in 10.2 innings of work amounting to an horrific 9.28 ERA. Honestly, this move confused me a little, but I guess there’s not that big of a difference in talent between the two young guns. Both have their flaws and a lot of room to grow.
So, I think that’s it on the updates. The Phillies are heading into a 3-game showdown with the high flying offense of the Texas Rangers. Look for an updated/preview coming later tonight.
Tonight’s game can be found on Mph17 at 7:05. Let’s go Phillies!
Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!
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