Lidge out 3-6 weeks; Contreras, Francisco updates
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Lidge out 3-6 weeks; Contreras, Francisco updates
Charlie Manuel strongly hinted before tonight’s game that Ben Francisco will be the Phillies regular rightfielder for the foreseeable future and that Jose Contreras is likely to be the closer when the regular season opens.
Francisco isn’t a surprise, but that the manager is leaning toward the 39-year-old Contreras over Madson, who’s been groomed for the spot for several years now, was somewhat more unexpected.
The issue came up because titular closer Brad Lidge, who had an MRI, has been bothered by biceps tendinitis and discomfort behind his shoulder, will open the season on the disabled list (more below).
“Right now, with the way it looks, here lately we’ve been using Contreras,” Manuel said. “Of course, Madson is still there. At the same time, to start the season, it looks like it might be Contreras. I don’t know yet. But I’d say right now, if I had to pick somebody tonight, it would probably be Conteras.”
After rookie Dominic Brown fractured the hook of the hamate bone in his right wrist early in the Grapefruit League season, the assumption was that Francisco would be the starter barring a late trade. John Mayberry Jr., however, made a strong push and tied Ryan Howard for the team lead in Florida home runs with five.
“When we start the season, Francisco’s going to get a chance to play,” Manuel said firmly. “In our organization, people think he can hit. I think he can hit, too. He’s going to get a chance to play.
“I’ve heard people say he got to play in Cleveland. He didn’t get no 350, 450 at bats or something like that. He’s never done that. So this is a chance for him to get to play. Starting off, he’s going to get a good chance to play, what you call a bona fide chance.”
Going into play tonight Francisco is hitting .385 with 4 homers and 13 RBI this spring.
Lidge update: The MRI exam of closer Brad Lidge’s sore right shoulder earlier today showed a posterior rotator cuff sprain, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
“It’s an issue,” Amaro said. “Obviously losing your closer for a significant period of time is not something we were looking forward to. But we know there was something going on in there. On the brighter side of things, it’s not something that needs to be surgically repaired. So that’s a good sign, at least for now.”
Lidge will not throw for three to six weeks.
“Hopefully after another three weeks, if he’s feeling okay, he’ll start throwing and then we’ll progress him from there,” Amaro added. “We’re glad it’s not a labrum. That’s on the bright side of things. But it’s still significant.”
Manager Charlie Manuel had previously indicated that he was leaning toward using 39-year-old righthander Jose Contreras to close, at least to satrt the season, leaving Ryn Madson in the set-up role.
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Also, the Phillies have removed Matt Rizzotti from the 40-man roster. He has been outrighted to the minors.
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Let's hope Francisco makes the most of his opportunity, like Werth did a few years ago, to be an every day player.— Paul SoTX- Good call. Madson kills it in the eighth, not so much in the ninth. Plus, it has to be easier to replace one of the seventh-inning guys than it is to uproot the 7th, 8th and 9th guys, which is the domino effect of moving Madson to the closer role.— jpk
- Both no-brainers. Charlie kept the intrigue a little longer, though.— EL Zorro
- Charlie's wrong. Francisco got 447 ABs one season in Cleveland and had over 400 ABs the season he got traded between Cleveland and here.
I don't understand the lack of love for Francisco. Gets his cup of tea at age 25 in 25 games. Comes back at age 26 and plays in 121 games as a near regular player. Age 27 he's on pace for 142 games with the Indians, basically a full time player, when he gets traded. He becomes a 4th outfielder on the team because we've got All-Stars around the outfield. He bites his tongue, plays sparingly for a year and a half. Werth leaves, time for him to be a full-time guy. What am I missing? Getting traded to the Phillies basically delayed his career by 2 years.
And by the way, he wasn't a slouch when we has near starting with the Indians. Check the game logs...he's hit 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th around guys like Hafner, V Martinez and Sizemore. He also hit 7th or 8th at times, too.
Not calling this guy a superstar, but there's no doubt he should get his shot at full time playing, albeit 2 years late. I think he could surprise a lot of people.— tripleplay83 - triple, my thoughts exactly. I've liked the guy since we acquired him. He's a good hitter, and has a little pop to his swing. He quietly does a good job. However, I don't really think Charlie is coming down on him as hard you make it appear.
As far as injuries go...Yea, I just figure we don't have those guys, and if/when they come back, I'll be estatic. I'm amped for the team we have on the field right now though.— MFPhils - I agree tripleplay83- I say Francisco lights it up this year.— mrjarn
- One other note. Ben's OPS+ (basically standardized across the league) is over 100 every part of every season he's played. League avg is 100. So his 104, 105, etc from 2007, 2008, with each team in 2009 and 2010 means he's better than leagues average. Hell, Victorino was under league average last year.
I just find it hard to believe that anyone thinks the Phillies were going to find a better guy to bring in during Spring Training or that Mayberry had any chance at all to push him for a spot. Give Ben a full year to start, unless he completely blows it in a half of a year, then reevaluate.— tripleplay83 - I don't think Manuel is trying to soft sell the guy either. He's a player's coach and as usual he's just out there protecting at all times. With Madsen I think he likes the idea that Madsen is where he needs to be and he wants stability for him from the start. If Lidge becomes a disaster then Madsen will get what he's been trained for, but I like him as set up, especially since he can go 1.1, 1.2 batters anyway a lot of times.— Artiescott
- triple, don't forget that dom brown is supposed to be our ace in the hole there...It will be interesting to see what happens once Brown is hitting well in the minors again. If that happens, maybe drop Mayberry, and start easing Dom into right field. I don't think Dom should be held back another year, especially if he is hitting well. Ultimately, if Fransico plays well throughout the year, we could be looking at ben in left, and dom in right next year.— MFPhils
- Great, Contreras as closer, Madson as setup, fine. Who the hell pitches before those two? This seriously weakens the front end of the pen. It's gonna get ugly folks.— sla6yer
- That is what you have the rest of the bullpen and starters for... — phigglesfan75
- its called 7 innings out of your starter.— blaqjaq
- fransisco and mayberry jr both come up big this year!!!— malco49
- Lidge est l'histoire.— filzfan
- The phillies will clearly have to do something to address the closer gap before the trade deadline.
On the other hand, perhaps missing the first 1/3-1/2 of the season may be a blessing for Lidge.— fmMD
