Hamels "fabulous," rotation altered
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Hamels "fabulous," rotation altered
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
You can bet Rich Dubee is glad that today's Earthquake did not alter his plans for the Phillies rotation. The pitching coach had already written down a slew of different combinations as he attempted to piece things back together after a bizarre week that included a rainout, an offday and three rain delays that knocked his starters out earlier than expected.
"I had a chance to laugh with those guys last night in the dugout," Dubee said. "But I've had about 15 different rotations set up. One guy with long rest and one guy with close to normal rest, and a guy comes and says, 'Man I'm feeling too good for that kind of rest.' Then change it around, and the next guys comes and says, 'I can't get that much rest.'"
In the end, the Phillies decided their best move was to move Cole Hamels' re-entry into the rotation from Friday to Monday, allowing them to pitch each of their other top starters with an extra day of rest while also placing Hamels on the disabled list in order to promote utilty man Pete Orr from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Orr presence will help offset the absence of Raul Ibanez, who is battling soreness in his groin that is expected to sideline him for at least a couple of days.
Roy Oswalt will start against the Marlins on Friday, followed by Roy Halladay on Saturday and Cliff Lee on Sunday. Hamels threw a bullpen session yesterday that Dubee called "absolutely fabulous."
"He's great," Dubee said of his lefthander, who skipped his previous turn in the rotation due to shoulder inflammation. "He threw the ball ball really, really well today, no arm discomfort, command of everything. He'd be able to go on Friday, but it's a way to kind of set up the other three or four guys."
Because Hamels' disabled list stint is backdated to his last start, he will be eligible to be activated on Sunday. In the meantime, Orr will give the Phillies an extra body for their infield, where Jimmy Rollins is sidelined and Placido Polanco is battling a sports hernia.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that Ibanez's groin is in the same area but not related to the sports hernia that plagued him during the second half of the 2009 season. He wasn't sure if Ibanez received an MRI, but said he could be in line for an injection of some sort, although the situation is not believed to require the disabled list.
"We'll just kind of give him some days," Amaro said. "He's day-to-day. One of the reasons we brought Orr because he is going to be down a few days."
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Poll: What is the future for Jimmy Rollins now that he’s out with another injury? 
tremo12, please don't call eldia a liberal. Juat an idiot. We liberals fully expected a game tonight. Sweep the Mets, sweep the Mets. Step right up and sweep the Mets.— mike l- Oh, so, all of a sudden Charlie and Dubee are pacing their starters? This comes after days of Brookover and Buffet Billy Conlin belittling those of us who don't get VIP parking spots and free food and stat services saying -- hey, pace our starters! We don't need Halladay, Hamels and Lee reaching 120 pitch counts, for crying out loud. But Bobby and Billy carried the team's water for a day or two, insisted we were idiots -- and now Lee gets lifted in the 7th inning, Cole gets an extra few days. Hmmmm.— eman
- Based on previous posts he's also a racist. Pot calling the kettle black, so to speak...— itstooeasy
- Uncle Cholly & Dubee are ruining the arms of Dave Montgomery's prized pitching assets - they could give a hoot as long as they get paid.— sonnybuoy01
- Some "expert" said he did not think Hamels had good stuff. In poll among the 16 NL managers Hamels was rated as having BEST CHANGE UP in NL. To go with a 93-95 fastball effective cutter and good command I wonder what this blogger is looking at. Hamels is an elite pitcher at the level of Halladay and Lee. The health of Hamels is important to Phills as Braves playing very good ball. To get an idea of Braves bullpen, Bastardo has been outstanding for Phills. Braves have 3 relievers pitching at same level Kimbrel, Venters and O'Flaherty. The Phills starters are better but Atlanta is plenty good. The last time I posted something like this someone called me "dissatisfied Phills fan" Im just tring to be realistic.— Don w
- Markiput must have been standing behind catcher warming up Cole. As reported poll among 16 NL managers had Hamels as having NL BEST CHANEUP. If you dont believe Philly Radar gun why would other teams show 93-95?— Don w
