Dobbs DFA'ed, Rollins activated, Ruiz to DL, Zagurski recalled
You thought the big news would've been Jimmy Rollins being activated, but the move the Phillies made to accomodate him is an eyebrow-raiser.
Dobbs DFA'ed, Rollins activated, Ruiz to DL, Zagurski recalled
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
You thought the big news would've been Jimmy Rollins being activated, but the move the Phillies made to accomodate him is an eyebrow-raiser.
The Phillies have designated Greg Dobbs for assignment, essentially meaning they have 10 days to either trade or release him or place him on waivers.
Dobbs, who was one of the top pinch-hitters in the National League in 2007 and 2008, was 1-for-25 as a pinch-hitter while hitting .152 with one home run and six RBI overall.
The Phillies have also placed catcher Carlos Ruiz on the disabled list while recalling leftander Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
In 2007 and 2008, Dobbs hit .284/.331/.467 (.798 OPS) with 19 home runs and 95 RBI in 598 plate appearances. During the Phillies' run to their title in 2008, he went 7-for-14 with two runs scored and two walks. But he struggled throughout last season, hitting .247/.296/.383 (.679 OPS) with five home runs in 169 plate appearances, including a 9-for-54 performance as a pinch-hitter.
Dobbs battled a calf injury that he suffered in 2008 throughout the 2009 season, but proclaimed himself healthy this spring.
In 28 starts last season, he hit a respectable .309/.340/.489 (.829 OPS) with four home runs in 103 plate appearances.
This year, though, he has made just five starts, going 8-for-36 (.222) with two doubles and one home run.
Zagurski appeared in 25 games in 2007 as a 24-year-old, allowing 14 earned runs, 25 hits and 11 walks in 21.1 innings (5.91 ERA) while striking out 21.
He suffered a season-ending hamstring injury that year, then missed all of 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 45 appearances at Double-A Reading last year, he posted a 3.57 ERA while striking out 63 and walking 27 in 53 innings. This season, he posted impressive strikeout numbers (45 in 30.2 innings) at Triple-A Lehigh Valley while posting a 2.35 ERA and 1.141 WHIP.
Ruiz was hit in the head with a bat on a follow-through in the eighth inning against the Twins Friday night and was taken to the hospital for tests. Ruiz has not played since with a concussion, but two days ago the Phillies said they did not think he would need a stint on the disabled list.
Ruiz, who has been replaced by journeyman Dane Sardinha, will be eligible to return on July 4, when the Phillies are wrapping up a series in Pittsburgh.
C'est la vie!— ESFjellin- wow. later Dobbs.— WerthsOtherWife
- A sad thing, but necessary if there is any hope of getting back to the playoffs. Many more things still need to happen though. Like the Baseball gods ceasing to kick us in the nuts.— TBear
- FAT MIKE IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!— B in DC
- Who?— jibberjabber
- Thanks for the good work in the past Dobbs, but the writing has been on the wall.— Phillies1120
- Well its a start. Thanks for what you did Dobbs, good luck.— Murrayag11
- Murph: why are you surprised? Dobbs has been brutal at the plate and is a marginal fielder.— chuckw
- bout time corn on the Dobbs is outta here...interesting to see who picks him up...— tralala
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- I think Gload's homer put the nail in the coffin.— fafafooey
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- A couple years ago...he was the best in baseball....— FLAphillyfan
- about time.— ehasan
- Dobbs is brutal in the field with tons of errors this year. And he can't hit. No surprise and very happy they finally realized he hasn't been good in 2 years.— Joe WS
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- Finally, a decision made by using their heads instead of their hearts.— nate
- GOOD. Dobbs good guy but hasnt doen a think in a year and a half. Ant is sends a message that Jimmy coming back should not be a reason to be complacent— eisenser
- He was amazing in '08, and seems like a genuinely great dude, but his offense and defense just aren't good enough to keep around right now. Wish him the best.— Reggie Noble
- This really isn't a shocker any good GM would of done this. It was only a matter of time and the tweaks to the roster begin.— EarlKeese
- I was a Dobbs fan, which is hard to admit, but his time was up and the Phils made the rite move here. Dobb-le-heads can now rest.— FMBNG
- Smart move.— Philly4fanDoc
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- Best of luck to you Greg. I know you'll catch on somewhere. Thanks for the memories (like that home run you hit in that 4 game sweep of the Mets in August '07).— gnarly davidson
- They still need a LH pinch hitter! I look for them to make a trade w/in the next week. A "good" trade would also bring them a replacement for Baez.— Edae
- Yep, bout time. Dobbs had become Bruntlett before our very eyes. And Zagurski? This tells us all we need to know about what they think of Mathieson. The Fightins are headed for an 84-win season. Third place looks about right.— farside37
I think some blame has to go to Cholly. He just doesn't get people playing time..- Dobbs definitely was a good contributor off the bench in past seasons. Beginning in 09 and through the current season, he lost his stroke. The Phils will need a DH for the weekend series with Toronto. Maybe Castro could the next on the move within the next few days. Catching depth is rail-thin also. Zagurski would maybe be the last reliever from Lehigh Valley to get a look. The Phils need to be aggressive and continue to erase some of these weak links.— Seeing Red
- Ruiz to the DL.. I thought it was 'not a big deal'... And Utley doesn't have a knee injury either, right Reube??— Conshy04
- Nothing like having the bats of Valdez and Castro sitting over there on the bench putting fright in the opponents setup guys and closers in close and late games. Guess they will use Cole Hamels as a second lefthanded bat off the bench when he is not starting. Gotta love our GM!— Dull
The Phillies downturn is because of Dobbs. This move smells of the Democraps....— delcodanno- This is terrific news! Any word on including Baez?— GOLDY2007
If I had the say I'd also DFA Juan Castro and call up Cody Ransom.
finally,,,dobbs rides off to the sunset— hardball- Yeah I'm not understanding the surprise here. Recently terrible players are always the first to go on the chopping block, and Dobbs fits the bill.— evolutionary
- Another crucial part of this move is the "wake-up" factor for other players that have been Dobbs' teammate since 2007. Basically, Phils put down a "made guy" to say loud and clear that playing like the 2009 Mets has consequences. Play better or your buddies (or you) lose their jobs.— eam30717
- Thanks for the time Greg. Zagurski looks like Chris Farley.— davekrieg
- Thank you Dobbs for 07 and 08 but this was the right move. Valdez has shown he is valuable at the very least as a great fielder and an adequate bat. Hopefully you can make it through waivers and fix your swing in lehigh. I doubt it but just dont go to a division foe.— Phillyphan26
- When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Thanks for the memories Dobbs, but ya gotta go.— dapmman
- With Dobbs departing our relief pitchers or #8 hitter don't have to be replaced and have a much better chance of getting on base. Now we'll finally find out why we got Baez. He can really hit!!!!— GOLDY2007
- About damned time. He might be a nice guy but he SUCKS as a baseball player. Good luck to him. But he will not be missed. At. All.— thomaspfoolery
- can't field, no arm, can't run, can't hit for average, can't hit for power...no tool players shouldn't be in the majors— ipong
- This has been coming for some time. They have been playing Dobbers more recently not only out of necessity but I believe to try to give him a shot to provide a reason NOT to let him go. Knowing some roster moves were down the line, EPIC FAIL! -not bob levy— remyy
- "Thanks for the time Greg. Zagurski looks like Chris Farley." .....or Pukemon... -not bob levy— remyy
- ...and now he stinks. One down one to go, baez better be next— jmcohn
Dobbs was a big contributer in the World Series run, but since that time, for whatever reason, has not produced. He has had opportunities to prove himself, but nothing in the tank. Maybe a change is what he needs to get his mojo back. Wish him luck wherever he ends up. Wor— dogman5- Dobbs hasn't done anything the last season and a half...and that's what happens when you don't contribute.— jondria
- Pinch hitters are what have you done for me lateliers.— Liberty4All
- Finally!!— malaysian mink
- Put Dobbs in the Wall of Fame. Daulton can go in 2012 if he's wrong about the apocalypse.— smel4727
- I don't believe it ... Greg Dobbs was designated for assignment ... There really is a God.— PhightinPhil
He was a good soldier. I bet someone will claim him off waivers. Best of luck, Dobbs. For your contributions in 2008, we fans thank you.— Poppys- Equating Dobbs with Bruntlett is a huge disservice. While neither could hit as well as Blanton, at least Bruntlett could field well at 7 positions and run fast. Dobbs is a brutal fielder at every position and slow. He brought nothing to the table.— jtj06
Now need to address the Ibanez situation.— pedge- Rollins back = Excitement!— PhillyExcitement
- Big Polish! Welcome back.— DS17
- Thank god, even my wife, who know's as much about baseball as A.R. know's about saying no to seconds, was commenting that she has never seen him get on base. He's terrible, Bye bye.
- He had one good year. This should have happened a long time a go.— irishlaxer
- if we had a player like valdez last yr in the ws, some of the risps could have scored and changed the outcome of the games. good luck dobbs. pat burrell has done well since joining the giants. it could just be a change of scenery needed.— liberty_bell
- When Chooch comes back, please cut Dubee Baez.— Dr. Michael
- Actually, someone in the "bullgravy" should have been sent. Three or four good candidates there!— BEMiller
- The best what, FLA phan?— Bake McBride
- Any truth to the rumor that Amaro tried to talk Amaury Telemaco out of retiremebnt before calling up Pukemon ?— dasher
- Dave Murphy, why no mention of any of the critical errors Dobbs made. You just cant put him out on the field without making an error or not being able to make a play. If he's at 3rd during Haladay's perfect game, guess what === no perfect game !!!— marcards
