Vance Worley will start tonight. But why?
Vance Worley sticks in rotation despite recent struggles, Tyler Cloyd knocking at the door.
Vance Worley will start tonight. But why?
Ryan Lawrence, Daily News Staff Writer
It's been three weeks since Kyle Kendrick took the mound against the Atlanta Braves and got knocked around, igniting the most recent starting rotation controversy.
Fans called for Kendrick, who had been in the midst of a strong run as a reliever, to move back to the bullpen and for the Phils to replace him in the rotation with Triple A starter Tyler Cloyd.
We know what's happened since: Kendrick has allowed two earned runs in his last three starts, winning three straight games in the process.
While Kendrick has validated the Phillies brass's decision to stick with him in the rotation, it's fair to question why the other young righthander in the rotation continues to make his regular turn.
Vance Worley will have surgery to remove loose bodies right his right elbow after the season.
The Phils could shut him down early, get the procedure done and have him ready for spring training. But since Cole Hamels underwent a similar procedure last fall and was clearly ready for spring training, that kind of shoots down that angle.
But then there's this: Worley hasn't pitched particularly well in two months.
Beginning with han 11-1 loss on July 3 to the Mets, the team he'll face tonight, Worley has gone 2-5 with a 5.60 ERA in his last 10 starts. Opponents are hitting .341 against him in that span and reaching base at a .407 clip.
In his last four starts, Worley has allowd 30 hits while striking out 12 and walking 10 in 19 2/3 innings. Translation: he hasn't been getting much better since sporting a 6.43 ERA in five starts in July.
Worley will almost certainly have a place in the 2013 Phillies rotation. So it probably doesn't do anyone any good to "demote" him from the rotation and ship him to the pen.
But you could go with the whole "shutting him down" excuse since he is dealing with the elbow ailment. And why not get a look at Tyler Cloyd with the minor league season ending in six days?
On Tuesday, Cloyd took home the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher Award. The 25-year-old is 12-1 with a 2.35 ERA; he leads the league in ERA and WHIP and is tied for the overall minor league lead with 15 wins. (He went 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA at Double A Reading earlier in the season).
Agreed. Why? What's to prove? Slim to none chance to win. 'Start him' on the road to recovery.
Still a fan.— 24sDad- So if any of us have any doubt left after last night's performance whether to shut him down, witness the first inning - 3 straight hits on 5 pitches, and a run, eventually. Fortunately the inning wasn't bigger than it was and he was saved by Howards GS in the bottom of the inning.
The balls are straight, with less velocity. And worse, he's frustrated and shows it on the mound. And when CManuel came to get him in the 5th with two outs, his obvious disdain for the manager and the situation, most of which was his doing no one else's was visible and palpable.
He should be DL'd now. And he should get the requisite two opinions, and go get whatever it takes to get well done now. He isn't going to help us in 2012. May as well get him well for 2013.— 24sDad - Murphy . you need to send this article to Amaro who doesn't think Ruf can play; Cloyd with an era under 2.00 is not worth a look yet he has Martinez and Wiggington and Schneider and we know what they can do.
Plain facts areAmaro is like a deer in the spot light of a hunter when he makes a trade or judges a players talents.— tulsaphil - Murphy . you need to send this article to Amaro who doesn't think Ruf can play; Cloyd with an era under 2.00 is not worth a look yet he has Martinez and Wiggington and Schneider and we know what they can do.Plain facts areAmaro is like a deer in the spot light of a hunter when he makes a trade or judges a players talents. (HTML deleted)— tulsaphil
- Phillies approach to pitchers and injuries is sometimes mystifying.— Eephus
- Somebody should point out to tulsaphil to only click "submit" once. It takes a minute sometimes for the post to register. That is, unless he means to post the same thing multiple times. Also, the thing with Cloyd is, he's getting by with guile, and it won't necessarily work at the MLB level. The only way to find out is to promote him and put him in the rotation. Otherwise, it just contributes to the frenzy of criticism about the front office. What the management is doing, in sticking with veterans and not promoting the minors guys like Ruf and Cloyd has nothing to do with the arbitration clock. It has to do with them wanting to win meaningless games, to have a record good enough at the end of the season, so they can claim it was all due to injuries, and now that the injured are coming back, "we'll be fine, get your season tickets now." The bottom line IS the bottom line.— laser5
- Maybe after tonight's performance, the Phils will finally shut down Vance. It's obvious that he's laboring and why have him pitch in discomfort and get hit around? And also chance that it could affect his confidence for next year?— jimyd0315
- At times the Phils seem so reluctant to bring up young starters that you would think they think something terrible will happen to them if they struggle a bit in the bigs. There is no reason not to get Cloyd's feet wet this year and give hime something to look forward to for next year, heck he might even learn something.— JamesSeitz
- Probably just waiting for the September call ups for an arm to replace him.— tpizza
- Tonight's effort should definitely put Worley on the DL, and Cloyd should be recalled. They won't get to that spot in the rotation until September 2 ( Sunday) so you can just make Cloyd one of the callups. Odds of Ruin Tomorrow Jr. doing that...10-1.— drbob1
- It's shameful the way they are managing Vance. With Blanton gone and the Phils sticking with the three "aces," doesn't it make sense to shut him down when there is nothing to play for. Is this mini run by the Phils actually fooling anyone? Why is it they are winning now that the pressure is off after the Victorino, Blanton and Pence salary dumps? Clearly, the team needs to get younger and running Vance out there while he's hurt is moronic. Actually, it's not even moronic. It's sub-moronic.— Steve Jeltz
- The Phillies GM thinks his team has a shot at the Wild Card. Worley shouldn't be pitching. He should get the surgery and be ready for next season. It showed tonight Worley doesn't have it. Bring someone from the minors to give the fans something to watch.— Pap
- PLEASE STOP RUINING WORLEY!!!!! The kid needs to be shut down and have those bone chips removed STAT! He is going to ruin his shoulder if he keeps pitching with elbow pain. This is not acceptable RAJ!!!! You owe him some respect and compassion and hope for a long career. Shut him down!— bingbangbong
I feel sorry for Worley. His pitching was lights out until his elbow jammed with loose bodies. He needs an operation-now. Why risk further injury? Nobody can pitch effectively with bone chips/loose bodies in their elbow. Give the guy a rest, and let him return healthy next year.
Another fine decision by that take charge, stand up guy, Dubious Dubee; who always looks after his pitchers and never turns a blind eye to one who is obviously injured.
§
- Running him out there start after start has been crazy dumb imho. It's a lose-lose-lose-lose situation. He is in pain and potentially making things worse, his confidence is suffering, the team is up against it when he starts, and Cloyd is not being afforded a much deserved opportunity.— CallisonTaylorRojas
- Worley has been hitting fodder for the Mets this season, all year. Bad matchup.— road515
- agreed . been thinkin it for month— RUgodot
- Ryan, you are like a month late. Some of us have been saying that for a while now. Not only Worley should get the surgery now, the team should monitor his offseason preparation. He looks way out of shape for a young man, and unless he does something, it's going to get worse with age.— EL Zorro
- Reuben, congrats, I can see how not calling up the AAA pitcher of the year is a GREAT idea, I mean Worley is just going to keep getting better with that bad elbow. I'm sure if he just works through it, he'll get all better and be dominant next year. Super smart to fool all those tickets buyers that the Phils really still have a chance to make the playoffs by not bringing up a guy from AAA. I mean Vance is 100X more likely to get a Phils win working through the pain. Plus, I'm sure it's the best idea for his long term health as well. Pitch all season, delay surgery until after the season, that will get him in tip top shape for the start of next season. GENIUS.— blah
- It is clear he cant make it past 5 inn, make the move— WFChamps
- Worley should have been shut down weeks ago. It's obvious he is injured and requires remedial surgery. The sooner the surgery is done, the sooner, he can begin rehabbing. Allowing him to pitch while injured and fail as he has been for quite some time, only serves to reinforce failure and force him to develop bad mechanical habits. Even after his elbow has been repaired and rehabbed, his bad mechanical habits and negative reinforcement may be very difficult to overcome.— onthebucks
- I would shut him down for being in poor shape. Though Hamels recovered quickly it does not mean Worley will. Worley has talent but looks 15 lbs or so overweight.— Don w
- It's plain and simple to me. They rather feed an injured Worley to the wolves now, than starting the clock of some of the young minor league pitchers and paying them a ML salary as well. The excuse some of the writers are coming up with, like that Cloyd doesn't have the over powering stuff is a lot of BS. Worley rarely hits 90 and also KK for that matter. It's just economics. Problem by comparing Hamels and Worley, is like oranges and apples, not only in their bodies and work ethic, but in experience and talent.— EL Zorro
- I just read in the Reading Philles FB page, Cloy was promoted to the Phillies.
R-Phils Inside Pitch
Congrats to 2011-12 @RPhils starter Tyler Cloyd on his promotion to the majors! Cloyd was 3-0 with 1.80 ERA for the team this season.
— EL Zorro
