IS LOCKING DOWN THEIR FANTASY ROSTER
As has been the case in the majority of the Phillies 19 games this season, there was an obvious story line that commanded the majority of the game story that ran in today's Daily News. That story line was Cole Hamels. Therefore, I will not spend too much time in this post rehashing what by now is old news. We'll fill you in on more details later this afternoon as they become available. For now, though, I wanted to spend some time talking about a guy who should have gotten a lot more press today but did not, thanks to Hamels' injury and Chase Utley's two-home-run performance.
That man would be Chad Durbin, who single-handedly kept the Phillies from reaching Code Red status in their bullpen. When Durbin took over for Hamels in the fifth inning, it looked like desperate times for the Phillies' relief corps. The unit had just pitched 4 2/3 innings in a win over Washington the night before and was competing short-handed due to Brad Lidge's battle with inflammation in his knee. If Durbin had struggled, there is no telling what might have happened. The Phillies probably could have gotten through last night's game, thanks to the big lead they enjoyed. But they might have faced a real quandary today.
Durbin, however, was magnificent, allowing one run and one hit -- both on an Adam Dunn home run that was the longest I have seen at Citizens Bank Park during my year-plus on the beat -- in 3 2/3 innings while taking the game through the eighth inning. That enabled every other reliever other than Clay Condrey to get a day off. Charlie Manuel said it was Durbin's most impressive outing of the season, and I don't think anyone can argue with him.
Phillies relievers have thrown 68 1/3 innings this season, third most in the National League and sixth most in baseball. They have averaged 3 2/3 innings per game, which is the highest figure in the National League.
The Phillies are fortunate that they have the rubber-armed Brett Myers on the mound tonight. He is the only Phillies pitcher who has thrown at least six innings in each of his games. But thanks to Durbin's performance, Manuel might not need Myers to throw seven or eight innings to save the bullpen. Certainly, a short outing would be tough to handle. But as long as Myers throws six or even five innings, the Phillies should be OK. Lefthander J.A. Happ, who is capable of throwing multiple innings, has thrown just one inning in the last two days. Lefthander Jack Taschner should also be good for an inning or two. Ryan Madson will be saved for the ninth inning. Lefthander Scott Eyre, who struggled two nights ago but did not pitch last night, should also be available.
With an off day tomorrow, the Phillies have a situation tonight that is manageable, if not rosy. Is it the best case scenario? Of course not. But it's a lot better than the one they would have faced had Durbin only been able to throw an inning last night.
The look on Cole Hamels face as he disgustedly flipped the ball to nobody in particular while walking off the mound said it all.
Five days after a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder knocked him out of his last start in the fourth, the ace lefthander appeared to roll his ankle while fielding a bunt, sending him to the dugout with one out in the fifth inning.
Speaking after the game, Hamels said he hopes to make his next start, although manager Charlie Manuel cautioned that the team would not know the odds of him doing so until it sees how the ankle responds.
“Things are snowballing for the worse for me, but the team is winning,” said Hamels, who pitched a career high 227 1/3 innnings last season but through four starts has accumulated just 21 1/3. “It’s one of those things where some random things happen. It’s unfortunate, but truly nothing has been too serious. The last one wasn’t bad. . .This ankle injury, it’s not severe. I’m not planning on missing a start. Obviously we have to see how it feels in the next couple days, but I think it helps that we have an off day. So I’m on a six day recovery period instead of five.”
Brad Lidge was unavailable to close out tonight's 13-11 Phillies victory over the Nationals because he was suffering from discomfort in his knee, according to a team source. As a result, Scott Eyre pitched the eighth inning and Ryan Madson got the save in the ninth.
About a week ago, Lidge underwent an MRI on the knee, which was negative, according to the source.
UPDATE: Phils manager Charlie Manuel said the problem was "inflamation" in the right knee. He said the MRI showed "no structural damage," and that Lidge is listed as "day to day."
Just got word that Carlos Ruiz has been scratched from the line-up at Triple A Lehigh Valley, where he was supposed to DH tonight.
Ruiz took batting practice and appeared to be fine when the IronPigs returned to the clubhouse prior to the start of the game, but the Phillies have just announced that he felt some discomfort after BP.
Ruiz will be re-evaluated tomorrow. He was originally expected to re-join the team Wednesday, but don't be surprised if that gets pushed back after this latest set-back.
Ruiz caught nine ninnings yesterday and had a hit and two walks. He was scheduled to catch tomorrow at Double A Reading before returning to the Phillies on Wednesday.
Ruiz has been on the disabled list with a strained oblique since April 11.
Lou Marson is catching Joe Blanton tonight for the big leaguers.
Contacted by the Daily News, the lead attorney representing J.C. Romero in his lawsuit against the manufacturer and distributors of 6-OXO Extreme said the Phillies lefthander felt he had been "duped" by the various parties.
“He was led to believe the supplement he was taking was not a banned substance, and that’s really the basis of the complaint," South Jersey-based Jeffrey Craig said.
“Major League Baseball is not a party here. He was duped by the drug manufacturer who mislabeled the product and the retail store that sold the product.”
Romero has steadfastly insisted that the positive drug test that has sidelined him for 50 games was the result of a tainted supplement. Today, he has taken his battle to the courtroom, filing a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey against Ergopharm Inc. and Proviant Technologies, which manufactured the supplement 6-OXO, and the companies that own and operate the Vitamin Shoppe and GNC.
GNC spokeswoman Laura Brophy said the company doesn't comment on pending lawsuits. Messages for representatives of the other defendants have not been returned.
Romero tested positive on Aug. 26, 2008, for androstenedione, a banned substance under Major League Baseball's steroid testing program.
The lawsuit, filed today, does not seek specific monetary damages. Romero's 50-game suspension will cost him roughly $1.4 million in salary.
The lawsuit claims the following damages have been incurred, the amounts of which will be proven at trial:
1) The loss of past income and earning capacity
2) The loss of income and earning capacity which Romero can reasonanbly be expected to have enjoyed in the future.
3) Past and future pain, suffering and humliation.
4) Loss of enjoyments of life, past and future.
Romero is alleging negligence, breach of implied warranties, strict product liability, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act, punitive damages against all defendants
"Testing positive and being suspended from baseball was one of the most painful experiences in nmy life and robbed me of the joy of winning the World Series and damaged my reputation in the process," Romero said in a statement. "I purchased an over-the-counter supplement that I was told and believed would not cause me to test positive. These events have hurt me deeply and placed a cloud over my career, accomplishments and family. It is my hope that I can finally start to put this event behind me and protect the interests of others who rely on manufacturers and retailers to be honest about their products. I look forward to rejoining the Phillies and my teammates at the end of my suspension."
Messages left with the defendants have not been returned at this point. More information as we get it.
Daily News Staff Writer Dave Davies contributed to this report.
So, this is what a winning record looks like. . .
As we leave Fort Lauderdale, the Phillies currently sit at 9-8. It hasn't been your most orthodox 9-8. But their heads are above water.
Here's the game story, which focuses on the Phils' first wire-to-wire victory of the season. And here is the notebook, which, among other things, takes a look at the team's improved pitching over the last week (they've cut their ERA in half since allowing more than a touchdown in the first 10 games of the year).
Now, before we take off, I'll throw this out there:
What will the Phils' record be at the end of April? With three games, you don't have a lot of choices: Either 9-11, 10-10, 11-9 or 12-8. A sweep of the Nationals would put them at 12-8, tied for the most games over .500 at the end of April since way back in 1993.
Here are their records the last few Aprils:
2008: 15-13
2007: 11-14
2006: 10-14
2005: 10-14
2004: 10-11
2003: 16-12
2002: 9-18
2001: 14-10
2000: 7-17
1999: 11-11
1998: 12-13
1997: 8-16
1996: 13-11
1995: 2-2*
1994: 9-14
1993: 17-5
One day after Cole Hamels was struck in his pitching arm by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder, the reports from the Phillies were entirely positive. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said through a team spokesman that Hamels was examined by head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan and showed no effects from yesterday's incident, which occured in the fourth inning of a 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Amaro and manager Charlie Manuel said they expected Hamels to make his start Tuesday against the Nationals.
"I thought he might be a little sore this morning," Manuel said. "I thought he might be a little stiff, but he said he felt fine. He felt good."
Hamels declined to comment. He is scheduled to throw a side session tomorrow.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee deemed the incident a "minor set-back," but said he does not think Hamels abreviated outing against the Brewers will affect his early-season development. The lefthander struggled in his first two outings but was sharp yesterday prior to the injury. Hamels struck out five of the first six batters he faced. His lone hiccup was a two-run home run to Ryan Braun that came immediately before Fielder's line drive struck him in the arm.
"He's getting closer and closer, that's for sure," Dubee said.
^
Carlos Ruiz will catch in the bullpen tonight at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before sliding into the IronPigs' line-up tomorrow. Ruiz is scheduled to be at Triple-A for four games. Assuming all goes well, he will be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday.
Rookie Lou Marson, who has filled in for Ruiz since he went down with a strained oblique against the Rockies April 10, is in the starting line-up tonight against the Marlins.
We're back at the Philadelphia Airport, getting ready to hop on Flight 1029 to South Florida, where later tonight the Phils will start a big series against the National League East-leading Marlins. The big news, of course, is Cole Hamels, who left yesterday after being hit by a Prince Fielder line drive in the back of the arm. The word from the lefty is that he is OK, and that he will not miss any starts. The ball hit all muscle, which, other than leaving a nice welt, didn't do any structural damage.
Here's the story.
Here's what else is going on. . .
1) I'm attempting to give up caffeine. I mention that first because I usually have a fresh cup of coffee by my side when I doodle around on this blog. Why am I giving up caffeine? No good reason, really. Every now and then I go on a big self-improvement kick and this is one of them. I'll welcome any suggestions from people who have kicked the habit without committing any felonies in the process.
2) Carlos Ruiz will start his rehab assignment on Saturday. Charlie Manuel said at one point earlier this week that he thought the assignment would last four games, which would put Ruiz in position to re-join the team on Wednesday. Whenever that happens, Lou Marson will head back down to Triple A.
3) A week from today begins the first series of the season against the Mets.
4) Anyone happen to catch Adam Eaton's gem last night? He allowed two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings while striking out nine. But have no fear. Eaton actually had several similar outings at the beginning of his Phillies career. In his second start iwth the team, he allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings against the mets. On May 15, he allowed two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings against the Brewers. And in June he allowed four hits iini seven innings against the White Sox. Since June of 2007, however, he hadn't pitched at least seven innings and allowed fewer than three runs until yesterday.
5) Brett Myers and Josh Johnson are on the mound tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing Johnson pitch.
6) Flight is getting ready to board. We'll check in later from the ballpark in Florida.
Cole Hamels looked sharp for three innings, but gave up a two-run home run to Ryan Braun then was hit on the left side of his body by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder, forcing him to exit the game in favor of J.A. Happ.
Hamels was hit on the left shoulder. He was later declared to have a left shoulder contusion, which is another word for a bruise. The ball bounced off of his body and toward first base. Fielder was credited with an infield single.
After he was struck, Hamels put his hands on his thighs and bent over at the waist. After he was examined by pitching coach Rich Dubee and athletic trainer Mark Anderson, Hamels walked off the field.
Lefty J.A. Happ took over with one out in the fourth and the Phillies trailing 2-0.
Stay tuned for much more.
1:25 p.m.: An update, courtesy of the Phillies media relations staff. Catcher Carlos Ruiz will begin his rehab assisgnment Saturday in Lehigh Valley. Manager Charlie Manuel said Wednesday he expected the assignment to last four days, which means Ruiz could be back with the Phillies by next Wednesday.
^
1) People in the Phillies organization were buzzing yesterday after the performance of arguably their three top pitching prospects, all of whom struck out at least 10 batters in appearances on Tuesday. Most impressive was 2008 second-round draft pick Jason Knapp, a mammoth righthander who does not turn 19 until August. Knapp struck out 14 in seven innings for low-Class A Lakewood. Right behind him was Kyle Drabek, the 2006 first-round draft pick who underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2007. I talked to Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper about Drabek, and he said there was a good possibility that Drabek ends up in Double A Reading at some point this season. At the same time, the Phillies are going to be cautious with their young arms. With J.A. Happ and Kyle Kendrick providing good depth for the big league rotation and Carlos Carrasco, who also pitched well Tuesday, at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, there is no rush. Looper said the question comes down to what is the best place for a player to continue to develop. Don't be surprised if that place is Double A for Drabek.
2) Carlos Ruiz should begin a rehab assignment this weekend, although the Phillies are being cautious with him. The oblique injury is one that can easily re-occur if it does not heal all the way. And with the various awkward movements Ruiz makes behind the plate, he needs his core to be in good health. It is doubtful that Ruiz will be ready when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday, but he could be back at some point next week.
3) Lou Marson will return to Triple-A once Ruiz is called up.
4) Brad Lidge hasn't pitched in four days, but the closer told me yesterday he is anxious to get back on the mound and see how a minor adjustment in his delivery helps him out. Lidge threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.
5) Cole Hamels will make his third start of the season today against Dave Bush. I'm sure everyone is anxious to see how he performs.
