Eaton optioned to minors
Adam Eaton has been optioned to the minor leagues, paving the way for what should be the promotion of lefthander J.A. Happ from Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Eaton optioned to minors
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Another interesting roster turn just popped across the wire.
Adam Eaton has been optioned to the minor leagues, paving the way for what should be the promotion of lefthander J.A. Happ from Triple A Lehigh Valley. Eaton has not been assigned to a specific classification because his schedule has not been announced.
Eaton, like Brett Myers before him, had the right to refuse the assignment. Eaton, 31, was 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) for the Phillies this season. His last two appearances came in relief. He allowed three runs yesterday in the Phillies' 12-10 win over the Braves.
Yesterday in Richmond, Happ was lifted from the game by manager Dave Huppert after just 2 2/3 innings and 41 pitches against the Triple A Braves. He hadn’t allowed a run, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out three. There were reports that he received high fives from his teammates when he came back to the dugout.
“I’m physically fine,” Happ coyly told a reporter who reached him by phone last night. “They haven’t made a move yet, so I don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment. I’m still waiting for the phone call.”
The Phillies said a roster move would be made before tomorrow's game in Washington against the Nationals.
Man, you people are rough. I have no issue with Myers. The guy has a fragile psyche, everyone knows it, yet they chose to mess with it, and it blew up in their faces. Not to mention he was a solid relief pitcher after never having lived up to expectations as a starter, and yet they chose to annoint him the ace of their starting staff like he used be John Smoltz or something. And the reason he gets so many chances to prove himself is because they invested this entire season on his ability to transition BACK into the rotation, coupled with the fact that the guy has been the ultimate team player, done whatever he was asked, never complained. As for Eaton, I feel bad for the dude. I have no idea what his problem is, whether it is mechanical or psychological or parenthetical; all I know is I can watch the guy throw a dynamite 1-1 slider for strike 2, then later in the count try to throw the same pitch for the K, but instead it lays over the middle of the plate with little or no movement, and gets smoked. I cannot figure out why there is no consistency to his location, or, more importantly, his movement, but when the guy is right, he has good stuff. And I sure hope this nonsense about Myers starting tomorrow is just a smoke screen because Happ pitched yesterday, and they don't want to hurt Brett's feeling, but tomorrow night should be Brett's last start as a Phillie. Happ should make Myers's next start Sunday in St. Louis, and Brett should be back in the bullpen where he belongs, where he wants to be.— acerulli- "Despite yesterday's "highly unlikely" comment from Dan O'Dowd, Rosenthal says the Rockies would trade Brian Fuentes for a young MLB-ready starter." - - - Is it possible that Happ was not removed from his start yesterday because he is being called up, but rather because he is on his way to Denver? As much as I would like to see Brian Fuentes here for the rest of the year, that would still leave us with a rotation of Hamels, Moyer, Blanton, Kendrick and Myers, which is, to be fair, a #1, a #3, two #5's, and a relief pitcher.— acerulli
- Is Ed Wade still available?— Frank Lloyd Wrong
- They should send him to Little League and start over. That is one expensive minor leaguer.— DirtyBirds
- sometimes i think i'm not watching the same game as everyone else. myers wasnt this spectacular relief pitcher like everyone says. he blew his fair share of saves last year. and happ had "2 great starts?" i saw 1 of them vs the Mets where he went 4 2/3 innings and let up 2 runs. how that's a "great" start is beyond me. a solution to this pitching situation is NOT on their roster.— mikeb
- Myers as a setup man? He won't like that any better than starting, and he sure won't take over Brad Lidge's spot as closer. I can't see where Happ is going to go, and who goes where if he is put into the starting rotation. They may well be preparing him for a trade.— dlscholt
