Game 51: Brown sits again, but Manuel endorses him
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Game 51: Brown sits again, but Manuel endorses him
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
NEW YORK -- A week from today, the Phillies will have an interesting roster move to make. If all goes well in Shane Victorino's rehab from a strained right hamstring, he will be activated June 3.
The question is, who goes?
At first glance, Michael Martinez makes sense. The Rule 5 pick has stuck around this long without any overwhelming performance. If he clears waivers, the Phillies must offer him back to the Washington Nationals for $25,000.
But if Martinez goes, that puts six outfielders on the 25-man roster. (We are counting Ross Gload as an outfielder even though he can play first. But we're not even sure how much time in the field Gload can handle with his hip injury.) That means Wilson Valdez is the only backup infielder.
If the Phillies want Chase Utley to have regular rest, Valdez would start and that leaves no other infielders available without Martinez.
Both Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. have options remaining. Brown is sitting again Friday with another lefthanded starter on the mound and the Phillies are scheduled to face two more lefties in the next five days.
Brown had an impressive Thursday, going 2 for 4 with a double, single and a walk but was still held out of the lineup.
Charlie Manuel strongly hinted Brown is not going anywhere.
"First of all, we brought Domonic up here and he's going to get a chance to play," Manuel said. "We're going to get a look at him. Yeah, he has to hold his own and stuff like that. But I would never, ever send him a message that we're going to send him down, or that we're thinking about sending him down. Because I'm not thinking that way at all."
As assistant general manager Scott Proefrock pointed out, "If they're all here, somebody's not getting at-bats." By keeping Martinez, no one is losing at-bats.
Both Manuel and Rich Dubee said the team is not comfortable going with an 11-man pitching staff.
So does that mean Mayberry could go down? I'd say it's possible reading the tea leaves. This next week of games could decide a lot.
***
Brad Lidge takes a big step Saturday: He will throw in his first extended spring training game. Lidge will probably need eight to 10 outings like a regular spring training before he's ready. So he's still a bit away.
***
Wilson Valdez's hat from the 19-inning game is headed to Cooperstown for inclusion in the Hall of Fame's regular exhibits. That's pretty cool for a 33-year-old journeyman from the Dominican Republic who had never played more than 51 games in a season until last year.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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Put Gload on the DL to buy more time.— ronin32- Tough call b/c he is our most clutch hitter off the bench, but he is also hurt. This would give him the time to get better and allow things to play out a little longer... — PhilliefaninAZ
- Here's hoping they don't send down Stutes when Lidge comes back.— NJtoWS
- Martinez, I will play 2nd if needed. He has done nothing this year.— terriann93
- Send down Brown. His Super 2 clock is ticking. Make a business decision and send him back down for a few months until the next injury. That will eliminate his Super 2 chances. Everyone else is hitting right now. He can still use a lot of work in the outfield.— tripleplay83
- Gload to DL would seem to be the obvious move.— pgcd3
- i think its time to think about replacing utley. his physical age has caught up. his knee is that of a 70 yr old. he continues to make errors and is now hitting into double plays. sentiment can carry one only so far.— pobob
- his error was when rollins and him ran into each other. do you watch the games? — hey buddy
- i give chase a couple of weeks before he is cringing in pain on the diamond....keep the players that can make second base a decent option— malco49
- Its hard watching this game. Errors part of game . Utley error just not smart play. Ibanez throwing home no chance for play at plate runner to second.— Don w
- Agree. Couldn't believe Utley/Rollins couldn't communicate. Cost a run. Ibanez arm is really shot. Should have been dead at home on a charging liner to left. All that being said, nice win.
- is it possible to send francisco down?— danielboyer
- If you just saw his 8th inning catch, Mayberry aint going anywhere...— natufian
- Rosenthal said a few days ago Phils had inquired of Stros regarding 'availability' of Hunter Pence. Houston would want a lot, likely won't move him. But Phils DID ASK about him.... a .280 avg, 25 HR guy, hitting from the right side. That's what Phils kind of hoped for and thought they saw in Ben Francisco down in Fla. Since having a good spring, he's been fading. Phils probably still would like to deal Francisco, if not for a 'Pence-type' RH hitter (if Mayberry doesn't fill that bill either), OR for another reliable lefty in the pen. It should be clear to all JC Romero just no longer can do it. And doesn't look like BenFran can do it consistently.
- I could see a multi-player deal that gets Pence in a Phillies uniform and unloads one or two outfielders. Maybe also adding a piece to the bullpen. Really they would have to unload two outfielders, which probably means it would be some sort of multi-team deal. Nothing before July though. And if this lineup is hitting well it's just as likely they stick with what they have. I also believe that if they have real needs Brown could be part of a trade. They'd want a lot in return but I think if it comes down to trying to win this year it's possible. — s
