Archive: May, 2008
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Good morning, Day 2 in San Francisco.
No paper tomorrow, so you'll have to rely on the inter-web for your Phillies fix (I guess you could check out one of the other paper's too, but who'd want to do that??)
Word out of the ballpark today is that Scott Mathieson will likely have a third surgery on his right (throwing) elbow. Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro indicated last week that would probably be the case. Mathieson's never fully recovered from Tommy John surgery a year and a half ago. It's a shame. He's a really likeable kid. Not that it's not a shame if you aren't likeable. But Mathieson was really pumped up this spring training to get back on the mound. That said, he's only 24, so he's still got time ahead of him.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Just got back upstairs from the Phillies clubhouse, and I've got to say, that place is positively giddy. I think a lot of times we as sports writers get a little too corny with our attempts to place unwarranted psychological significance on certain events. A lot of times in baseball, it simply comes down to: see ball, hit ball.
But I'm convinced that Jimmy Rollins is one of those rare athletes whose presence really can invigorate a team. It's why I disagree with those who say he shouldn't have been MVP last year. By now, I'm sure you all know he singled, doubled and homered in his first start in over a month. But beyond that, I'm convinced his presence made his teammates better. Not in a concious way. Jayson Werth and Greg Dobbs didn't walk up to the plate thinking, "I'm going to single now because Jimmy Rollins is here." But baseball is a team sport, and sometimes we forget about it, and a good baseball team is a beautiful thing to watch. The past month, the Phillies really haven't been a complete team. They've ridden some spectacular individual efforts by guys like Pat Burrell and Chase Utley. Werth got hot at the right time. Eric Bruntlett gave them everything they could have asked for.
But there's just something about this offense, this team, when Rollins is in the line-up. Everything clicks. Shane Victorino gets to hit second instead of first. That's where he belongs. Werth gets to hit sixth and bring some speed to the middle of the order. Pedro Feliz gets to hit seventh. Carlos Ruiz gets to hit eighth.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins was indeed activated from the disabled list and will start and leadoff in tonight's game at San Francisco.
Shortstop Brad Harman was sent back to the minors.
Rollins rolled into AT&T Park about an hour ago. . .wearing street clothes and carrying his duffle bag.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Touched down in San Francisco an hour and a half ago. Getting ready for tonight's match-up between Cole Hamels and Pat Misch. I've never been to the ballpark here, but I heard it's nice.
Jimmy Rollins is here. Well, not here, exactly. Like, he's not standing in my hotel room reading over my shoulder telling me what words to write. But he is here, in the city, and he'll be at the ballpark tonight. Still too early to tell if he'll actually be in the line-up or not. The Phillies have played this thing way to carefully to put him out there too early and risk re-injuring the ankle. But I'm sure Rollins will push to play, and I'm sure it won't take too much of an arm twist to convince Charlie Manuel to put him in the line-up.
Here's what Manuel had to say about the situation yesterday. . .
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Series finale here in Arizona, and I thought I'd kick it off by giving you guys a little more info on Stephen Randolph, the lefty reliever the Phillies acquired this morning from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later. . .
It doesn't sound like Randolph is in the big league club's immediate plans. He's pitched well in the minors the past couple of years, but right now he's more of a guy who can help Triple-A Lehigh Valley out. Closer Brad Lidge and short stop Eric Bruntlett both played with him sporadically with the Astros, though he has spent the bulk of his time in the Diamondbacks' rotation.
He's got a fastball, slider and change-up the last two of which are deadly strikeout pitches. Control, however, is what has kept him from becoming a legit big league reliever. He walked 114 batters one year in the minors, and last season walked 17 in 14 appeareances with the Astros. In three big league seasons, he has more walks (136) than strikeouts (134).
Josh Barnett
From Paul Hagen:
The Phillies, who are openly searching for a lefthanded reliever, have acquired Stephen Randolph from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later.
There are reasons to believe that Randolph, 34, could soon join J.C. Romero as the second lefty in the bullpen. He has a 1.23 earned run average for Triple-A Round Rock this season and had allowed just 8 hits while striking out 21 in 14 2/3 innings.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I was bored yesterday, so I walked around the clubhouse throwing out this scenario:
Two outs, bottom of the ninth, tie game, runner on second.
Which Phillies pitcher would you send to the plate?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Interesting decision by Charlie Manuel tonight to put Ryan Howard back on the bench. Talked to Howard briefly prior to batting practice, and he obviously disagrees with the call, though he tried to be diplomatic about it.
“To me, you want to be in there, you want to play,” said the first baseman, who is hitting .169 this season. “Plain and simple. Regardless of who is on the hill or whatever you are doing. I guess that’s the move they wanted to make today, so that’s what they did.”
Manuel explained it thusly: Howard has started to see the ball better. He's getting good swings on the ball. He made great contact on a Sac Fly last night that scored a run. Manuel doesn't want him to take any steps back against Johnson, a lefty he has never faced before.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins continued his recovery from a sprained left ankle, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, two walks and two runs scored. He also stole a base, which is a good sign considering base-running has been his biggest concern over the past couple weeks.
Rollins will play at Single A Clearwater tomorrow. He'll then get at least one more rehab start before possibly joining the Phillies in San Francisco.
"We are pleased with his progress," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He is still day-to-day."
