The first report came from ESPN's Jayson Stark (I'd give you the link, but you need to be an Insider subscriber kind of guy). I am awaiting confirmation from the club and have left a message. But the news is ominous: Clay Condrey is headed to the disabled list tomorrow, the third Phillies reliever on the DL.
Here is the report:
According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, the Phillies are planning to put reliever Clay Condrey on the 15-day disabled list before tomorrow's game. Condrey has a left oblique strain. They will recall left-hander Sergio Escalona from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace him. It's Escalona's fourth stint in the big leagues this year.
The Phillies already have two other relievers -- closer Brad Lidge and left-hander Scott Eyre -- on the disabled list. Lidge will throw a second rehab outing Tuesday for Class A Clearwater before they make a decision on him. They could activate him Wednesday, or opt to have him throw for Clearwater again on Thursday.
It is obvious enough that the hits just keep coming. Condrey has been good this year, too. It will just continue the shuffling of actors and their roles in that overworked bullpen. And is anybody else the least bit concerned that one good rehab night in Reading wasn't enough to get Lidge activated for Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay? This has been a cautious, curious couple of weeks for Lidge and the ending is just as cautious. They obviously feel as if they have one chance to get Lidge right and don't want to rush. At the same time, they are desperate to get that bullpen back in order -- because it was going to be one of their strengths, back when.