Durbin's return from DL will leave Phillies with difficult decision
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Durbin's return from DL will leave Phillies with difficult decision
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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If all continues to go well for righthander Chad Durbin, the Phillies could soon have the full complement of relievers they anticipated being in their bullpen when they opened spring training.
With closer Brad Lidge and left-handed setup man J.C. Romero on the disabled list at the start of the season, the Phillies have not had their bullpen entirely intact all season.
Durbin, on the disabled list since June 24 with a strained right hamstring, pitched a perfect inning and struck out two for Clearwater Saturday night and is scheduled to pitch again Monday for Clearwater.
Whenever Durbin is ready to come off the disabled list, the Phillies have a difficult roster decision.
Do they designate righthander Nelson Figueroa for assignment for the second time this season or do they offer Rule 5 draft pick David Herndon back to the Angels?
Some might argue that the Phillies should release veteran reliever Danys Baez, who struggled through the first half of the season, but he signed a two-year contract worth $5.25 million before the start of the season, so that's not happening.
Herndon, a rookie, is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA and in his last eight appearances he has a 2.35 ERA.
Figueroa is 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA. Since rejoining the team from triple-A Lehigh Valley he has allowed one hit and no runs spanning four appearances and 7 1/3 innings. If you include the three starts he made for the IronPigs, he has allowed just 11 hits, two runs and struck out 25 batters in his last 26 1/3 innings. He has a 0.68 ERA during that stretch.
Baez might fit with the Tigers. They just lost 'Zoom Zoom', and they are really hurting for middle relief now. They might have a few young prospects, or they might consider, just maybe, might consider salary dumping Magglio, maybe we could send them Ben Francisco as well. I think they ideal might be if someone would take a Raul/Baez package, in exchange for some peanuts, then we could bring Dom Brown up and re-sign Worth.— phasor- Baez has to go. How can you even consider Fig after his last several performances. OH yes, and trade Blanton, tired of hearing about his slow start, bring Pedro back if Happ not ready— burdh
- Can't they just designate Baez? If someone else wants to pick up the remaining 4 mil or so on his contract, all power to them!— slsiege
- Baez can go. He has been completely worthless this season. Figueroa at least brings the long relief that you may need on occasion, and he also appears to bring a spark of enthusiasm with him that Baez does not have.— jphil
- How about considering a trade with the Angels for Herndon, send them someone and then send Herndon to the minors. Let's see where the Phils are in 2 weeks and then determine if they are buyers or sellers.— borncynic
- Of the Baez duo, I'd keep Joan and release Danny.— RitchieAllen64
- Wait! Better idea: Now is the perfect time to use all that talent we got in the Cliff Lee trade when we restocked our farm system...what..wait..what do you mean we didn't...— RitchieAllen64
- I think the Phils need some help, but I think they might be getting that help internally. Madson is back and Happ could help down the line. I wouldn't mind seeing Baez leave, as I didn't really like the signing in the first place. My take on the Phillies in the first half: http://therallycap.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/1st_half_recap/— TheRallyCap
