Oswalt to DL; Mathieson called up
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Oswalt to DL; Mathieson called up
Paul Hagen and Daily News staff
Ruben Amaro Jr. dropped broad hints before Friday night’s game that Roy Oswalt was headed for the disabled list after being scratched from his scheduled start against the Braves. The general manager went so far as to practically come right out and say another pitcher would be brought up from the minors, since Kyle Kendrick, who has been pitching in long relief, can’t be expected to pitch deep into the game.
Moments after a 5-0 loss to the Braves, Amaro made it official. Oswalt will go on the 15-day DL. Righthander Scott Mathieson has been recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley.
It only makes sense. By making the move now, they can backdate it to April 27, the day after he last pitched. If he tried to start Saturday night and his back continued to bother them, he’d have to miss another full 15 days.
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Should be an interesting matchup in the middle game of the series. Kendrick will be making his first start since Oct. 1, 2010, when he beat the Braves at Turner Field.
And Atlanta will counter with 20-year-old phenom Julio Teheran, making his major league debut.
Since the Braves played a doubleheader Wednesday, their other option was to start either Tim Hudson or Tommy Hanson on short rest.
There’s no way of telling how Teheran will pitch, of course. Many big-league teams struggle against pitchers they’ve never seen before, but young pitchers also can be nervous and lose command.
But Teheran is supposed to be something special. He’s rated as the Braves No. 1 prospect and the fifth-best overall by <CF5002>Baseball America.</CF>
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Strikeouts can be fun, but they can also be overrated as we were reminded tonight. Cliff Lee whiffed 16 Braves hitters in only seven innings, but gave up three runs and took the loss.
“Honestly, I’m not too worried about strikeouts. It’s just another way to get the hitter out,” he said. “Whatever. Obviously it’s a neat accomplishment or whatever. But it doesn’t matter because we still lost the game. Whether they get out by strikeout, groundout, flyout, it doesn’t really matter as long as they get out.”
Sixteen strikeouts were a career high for Lee. It was the most by a Phillies pitcher since Curt Schilling had 16 against the Yankees in 1997. The club record for a nine-inning game is 17 by Art Mahaffey against the Cubs on April 23, 1961.
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The Phillies have had trouble scoring runs this season, so seeing Placido Polanco have to leave the game after fouling a pitch off his big toe in the seventh wasn’t a good sign. There was no immediate indication of how serious the injury might be, although X-rays were negative.
Polanco, the team’s most consistent hitter this season, has reached base in 23 straight games.
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UPDATED: Roy Oswalt was placed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation after the Phillies' 5-0 loss to the Braves. The move is retroactive to April 27, meaning Oswalt could miss only one start.
Scott Mathieson was recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley. He is 0-0 with a 4.98 ERA in eight relief appearances. He has allowed 14 hits in 12.2 innings with nine walks and 15 strikeouts.
EARLIER:
After experiencing some back discomfort during his start against the Marlins on April 15 at Citizens Bank Park, Roy Oswalt said he didn’t think there was anything to worry about.
He’s changed his mind.
Oswalt was scratched from his scheduled start against the Braves Saturday night. After leaving the team for more than a week to attend to tornado damage around his family homes in Mississippi, he threw in the bullpen Thursday, and his back was still bothering him.
He likely will go on the disabled list Saturday.
Kyle Kendrick will start in his place.
Oswalt conceded that his back had bothered him in subsequent starts in San Diego and Arizona.
“A little bit,” he said when asked whether he is now concerned. “The start in San Diego, I didn’t tell anybody. Kind of got through it. Thought I’d be fine for Arizona, too. But it kind of got to the point where’s it’s unbearable. So a little bit of concern. It’s early in the year, and I don’t want to have it linger to July, August. So maybe a few more days will help out some.”
A pitcher most likely will be recalled from the minors when Oswalt is officially put on the DL. If it’s done Friday, the move can be backdated to April 26.
Kendrick said he thinks he can pitch at least five innings Saturday night. But he said he doesn’t look at this as any kind of audition for a future return to the rotation.
“Five should be no problem,” he said. “I can [start]. How long have I been starting for? Not at all. I’m just going out there and starting a game. It’s my first one of the year. I know I can do it, and I think they know. I’m excited to start. It’s been a while. I’ve done it before. It’s nothing new.”
Vance Worley, who has pitched extremely well in two starts since being brought up from Triple A Lehigh Valley will be available out of the bullpen.
In other injury news, second baseman Chase Utley is expected to play in an extended spring game Saturday in Florida.
“We’re going to try to progress him,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “It’s good to know he’s actually going to be on the field, playing second base, swinging a bat. It’s all good stuff. We’ve told him to do what he feels comfortable with. And as long as he’s comfortable, we’ll just let it play out.”
Righthander Joe Blanton, who has been on the DL with an impingement in his right elbow, is expected to be ready to start Monday in Florida. That’s why Worley can pitch out of the bullpen behind Kendrick.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz could also be headed for the disabled list. A decision could be made as soon as Saturday.
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The Braves have called up highly regarded prospect Julio Teheran from Triple A to make his major league debut tomorrow against Kendrick. Teheran has allowed six earned runs total in his last five starts.
Also, the Braves have pushed Jair Jurrjens to Sunday. He will oppose Cole Hamels.
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Chase Utley will play an extended spring game tomorrow in Florida.
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General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies are still considering putting catcher Carlos Ruiz on the disabled list.
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And here I thought being away from the team for the past 10 days would do him some good.— PhightinPhil
Comment removed.- Wow, It's people like you that give us Philadelphia fans a bad name. Do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut. — baubret
- "Do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut."
"It's people like you that give us Philadelphia fans a bad name."
Note the irony.— PhightinPhil - Look up the definition of irony. — phillyinsd
- That's fine. Better safe than sorry at this point in the season, especially since we are winning.— antfort
- @Tonka: Wow. I think you have set a new standard for the grotesque stereotype of Philly sports fans. Clowns like you make the region look bad. Please, go root for the Yankees.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- I'm guessing that clearing debris didn't help his back.... oh well, get him to the training room now and fix that back.— PhilliesPhan88
- Get well soon Roy.— demise1893
- Looks like Worley won't be sent down after all.
Too bad this didn't line up with Blanton's availability to come off the DL. If Kendrick gets shelled, who's the mop up guy? Even if he pitches well, he's not stretched out. Bullpen could be in for some heavy work with Kendrick, Worley, and Blanton pitching all within a week.
Don't be surprised if we finally struggle for a week or two.— tripleplay83 - Oswalt made a comment that he could walk away from the game if he has to.If I had that much money,I would too.Worley might be the future.— dtowndestroyer
- Comment removed.
- Not cool and hopefully Kendrick won't do his Adam Eaton impression on Saturday— shawnmac
- HEY, VANCE! JUST A SECOND.— Edae
- Too much heavy lifting.— krammar
- This season is shaping up to be a quiet duel between Hamels and Halladay. Hamels is my favorite!— PhilMar
- You can't question Oswalt's heart. He has the heart of a lion and the face of one too. Rest up and come back soon Semba— lonewolf 10
- Well... better now than October, I guess. Feel better soon, RoyO!— Jesus_the_Gardener
- And another thing. All week we've been hearing how Ruiz is getting close to returning. NOW, the Phillies are still considering a stint on the DL?— PhightinPhil
- I wonder if the time away exacerbated his back issue. Climbing on roofs, making repairs, clearing trees.... that couldn't have been good for recovery.— jaxforprez
- We need to get Worley in that spot when Blanton returns. Kendrick does not even deserve to be in the majors. The DL is crazy: Lidge, Oswalt, Utley, Ruiz, Contreras, Brown... There's almost a whole starting 9 there.— fischman
- Not my way of doing it, but Worley's ticket to Lehigh just got canceled. I hope! The thought of Kendrick regularly pitching in the rotation makes me want to cut my wrists!— Rando
- We're 21-9. Does any TRUE Fightins Fan really believe that we would not encounter some adversity? Seriously!....We are 21-9, with a MULTITUDE of things wrong with us. Two SERIOUS things right now are Chooch and Reliable Roy having back problems. Got my fingers crossed for both of them. Back pain can be horriffic, persistant, and very scary....my best wishes to both of these men. We miss Chooch already....Schneider can't carry the same load as Chooch, and this Sardinah dude isn't too impressive....especially allowing Werth to get under his tag somehow last night. Hoping Roy's problem can be calmed down also....we're gonna need ALL those guys with the offense the way it is right now. GO FIGHTINS!!!— TBear
- I want Ruiz back but I think Schneider has stepped up pretty nicely there. One thing the team has going for it this year is some decent depth. Remember the days when we used to rely on Eric Bruntlett and Rod Barajas. Barajas only started hitting when he played against us later. — s
- he was clearing trees in a cushy seat on a huge bulldozer that was given to him by the astros. I doubt it added to the injury— FunCakes
- So much for all the Worley-to-Lehigh talk.— PhillySubsMac
- Hey Roy Oswalt, that stress will hurt you. Try some yoga, breathing exercizes, and gentle stretching. All of this after resting your back. No joke, it'll do wonders. You have to keep on top of it to an extent, or the pain will become recurring. Anyway, looking forward to your next start.— road515
- It's really just a roster move, since he hasn't pitched since last week they can back date the DL to then and itwill allow them to bring up an insurance pitcher. He will probably just miss Saturdays start.— usonis
- Cushy seat on a bulldozer, bull! How does a major league pitcher making $16 million a year coming off a back problem spend a week clearing trees and fixing a roof? He's got to be cheaper than Kevin Kolb not to have hired some of many unemployed Mississippi workers. As far as the (real) Phillies stance, look at Charlie's comments.— Mandela
- Yeah backs don't do to well while picking up tornado debris. Worely is smiling.— KINGOFZED
- Not at all--he's been working in place and with people who needed a hand. There are bigger things in the world than throwing a ball.— theBman
- Well there goes our chance for the sweep.— ericg610
- I guess he pulled a back muscle in the fire-fight that took out Bin Laden. Oswalt gone a week...Bin Laden finally taken out. Coincidence?— theBman
- Don't worry. I see Joe Blanton coming off the DL and probably winning 15 -20 games. I still have confidence that giving this terrific pitcher the $24,000,000 was a great move !! Too many haytas on Blanton. Joe is The Man !!— baabyrrej
- In other news: The Phillies announced that long man David Murphy will be joining the bullpen.— s
- ericg610- It could still be a sweep!— Joe at the shore
- k2 is gonna get POWER SHELLED!!!! automatic loss!!!
I just hate the thought of this guy still starting games for us.
— depressed - The Phillies knew of his back problems when they traded for him. Hopefully it's nothing too bad, and Kendrick and Worley can step up. Kendrick has not pitched poorly at all, and Vance looks like he can throw strikes with movement. It's going to get interesting.— Ron
- wish we still had g floyd, or b myers, or gio g, or j happ, or k drabek. oh well. just dont bring david hernia back up. please!!
— depressed - Lifetime, KK is 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA against the Braves. Surprised me when I looked it up. 54 hits and 17 runs given up in those 6 games though so it may not be pretty. Call me sick, but I'm kind of interested to see how he does as a starter. He's surprised me in the bullpen as well.— s
- Sorry -- it was 11 games total.— s
- i don't agree that he should have stayed to do the manual labor. Go there and make sure the family is ok, stay a couple of days and hire a professional to do the work. One missed start is around HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. Hire as many as you want fly them in from anywhere and pay them as much as they want and it is still much cheaper and better labor. Going there to check on and settle the family is fine but staying longer to do the work is taking advantage of the situation.— doyle
- Well, let's write off Saturday's game as a loss.— SteveS11
- I agree that Oswalt should have hired people to do the work...even if he stayed there to supervise it. Its not as if he can't afford to hire workers.— SteveS11
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- http://www.phillygameday.com/2011/04/herndon-inspires-bed-ridden-man-to-get-up-and-turn-tv-off/— s
- Have to agree with most, helping family is # 1 priority; moving trees etc. not; he has the money to pay for any help family needs; but given the situation - if it has to be - rather he is out now then later in season...— M60tanker
- I suspect that Worley is not quite ready to be another Oswalt. He is the type of pitcher who will be figured out after several starts. He has the potential to be good though but needs more work. I get the impression that Oswalt just might hang up his spikes if the Phils don't pick up his option for 12. Hope he gets better soon.— MDefl
- why can't worley take his place— anothervoice
- OK, this is for anybody who has never been affected by a natural disaster in your home town: whether you were actually there or not, you have a deep connection to the place and the people. You do what you must to help, and nobody else can tell you how to do it. A big woman named Katrina taught me that. Get off that aspect of Oswalt's back....— gulf coast Mike
- And another pitcher falls for the Phils...........its getting better and better!— MRD
- Hey Oswalt......Your on the DL. You can go home and the wife can take care of you in Tornado land! Just don't get caught in a tornado....the losers need you!— MRD
- its very clear that oz is not a philly guy. in fact, he's not a big fan of the game. he's not sure if he want to play next year. I'm not exactly sure what he just accomplished down south that his friends and family could not do. Surely he has the money to pay people to clean up the yard. I think he is due what 12 to 15 million next year? and he is still not sure? hmmm. this man must really hate his job!!! LOL!!!
— depressed - I hope Oswalt was smart enough to hire workers
to do the cleanup work and didn't aggravate his back doing it himself -
he makes enough money that the Phillies
should be upset or at least annoyed with him if that is the case.— phillydude
