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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Lopez to start Friday

Veteran Rodrigo Lopez will start Friday against the Mets.  I know that many of you are justifiably eager to see Carlos Carrasco or Drew Carpenter, because both hold more potential and are of greater interest to Phils fans, but the organization seemed to be leaning toward the experienced candidate in recent days. 

Lopez has a shot to remain in the rotation for a while if he performs, as did Antonio Bastardo before him. Heading down to the clubhouse momentarily to flesh out the story.

UPDATE 6:19pm: It also appears that before his pitching career began, Lopez was the personal physician for Queen Elizabeth I.  Hmm. Interesting guy; can't wait to meet him.

Posted by Andy Martino @ 3:34 PM  Permalink | 50 comments
50
Comments   
Posted 03:42 PM, 07/01/2009
phairmount
who?
Posted 03:45 PM, 07/01/2009
FetchDixon
The Phils were going to trade Burrell for this guy a few years ago.
Posted 03:49 PM, 07/01/2009
cujat13
Why are they so afraid to give an up and coming star a shot...they just bring up scrubs who will never make it in the majors!
Posted 03:52 PM, 07/01/2009
psuflyers
More of the same from Amaro. Typically gutless move.
Posted 03:54 PM, 07/01/2009
guyguy4
4-2/3 innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 2 walks. Wheels will call it a "professional outing".
Posted 03:55 PM, 07/01/2009
vnvets
rather them than the up and coming. You don't remember the seventies when desperation drove the Phils to bring youngsters up early, where they developed arm/shoulder problems and often head problems, too. Many a promising career was shortened drastically. You hear some of the names of kids who had so much potential and they were brought up too soon, got shell shocked and kept throwing harder and harder until something popped. Some of those early 70s teams were pretty dismal.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:56 PM, 07/01/2009
erformc1
My guess is that they are planning on getting a veteran pitcher soon and didn't want to waste an "option" on Carrasco for just a start or two (although that logic doesn't hold for Carpenter because he already got called up this year)
Posted 03:56 PM, 07/01/2009
Crosbysucks
Jennifer would be a better fit at this point.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:59 PM, 07/01/2009
14U2C
This is a joke..Im tired of us holding our talent in the minors. Bring up Carrasco and see what he has..Amaro is just like his buddy Ed Wade...Gillick would have brought one of the young guns up..Gutless
Posted 04:02 PM, 07/01/2009
76er
Are they holding Carlos C. back so he can't fail at the majors and thus keeps his trade value higher?
Posted 04:05 PM, 07/01/2009
fman727
dont showcase our young guys this way nobody sees them for trade value... real smart!
Posted 04:10 PM, 07/01/2009
booman55
This guy has had some success at the big league level winning 15 games twice and another year with 14. He's also been pitching lights out at AAA recently. I'm ok with this. The Phillies can't afford to have another pitcher learning at the big league level. The bullpen is smoked with injuries and Moyer, Blanton and even Hamels are not exactly sure things right now. Maybe they can catch lightning in a bottle with Lopez.
Posted 04:10 PM, 07/01/2009
burholme
I remember him in Baltimore a few years ago. If the Orioles don't want you, you're not a major league pitcher. This is the team that grabbed - and already released - Adam Eaton this year!
Posted 04:11 PM, 07/01/2009
brizz33
Amaro is starting to look like Ed Wade.
Posted 04:11 PM, 07/01/2009
G$Money
Teach them all to throw a knuckler...that way they have at least ten more years to actually be useful.
Posted 04:20 PM, 07/01/2009
MFPhils
man you people are morons
Posted 04:22 PM, 07/01/2009
heinz guderian
of course they bring up this stiff...don't want to start the clock running on carrasco, drabek or carpenter, right rube?
Posted 04:26 PM, 07/01/2009
TheJoker
Flesh out the story? Must have been a Freudian slip.
Posted 04:34 PM, 07/01/2009
sohagan28
Can I pitch? I'm pretty good at blowing wiffleball fastballs past my dog. And they usually hit the trashcan so you know I'm accurate.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:51 PM, 07/01/2009
wu wu whaaaat?
what the...come on...bring up one of the big arms!!
Posted 05:03 PM, 07/01/2009
richards4captain18
cujat-this guy has been in the majors. He's .500, but in the majors. And you don't hide their value by not bringing them up Fman. Do you think that scouts for teams we're looking to trade with do not know how to get to Reading? Let them dominate AA hitting instead of maybe exposing them to professional hitters (Gavin Floydd) I'd like to see Carrasco, but he did have a rough start and seems to be getting into the groove now, so a promotion and having him re-adjust, against the Phils biggest rival, probably isn't the best idea. Savery and Drabek were promoted earlier this year and are doing well, but I have no problem letting top prospects go through the natural progression. They are still young guys.
Posted 05:06 PM, 07/01/2009
chemlady
Where did this guy come from? I must have slept through something.
Posted 05:07 PM, 07/01/2009
VermontPhilsFan
Can Kyle Abbott be far behind? What about Joe Roa?
Posted 05:18 PM, 07/01/2009
M60tanker
WTF??? Was at Reading AA game last night, unbelievable number of scouts with radar guns checking out the pitching....
Posted 05:27 PM, 07/01/2009
Dr. Michael
Ruben "Ed Wade" Amaro will announce that he has signed Jose Mesa and Antonio Alfonseca as well Rodrigo. Please bring back Pat gillick as GM, not figurehead President.
Posted 05:27 PM, 07/01/2009
Mike P
Here's a thought. If you want to root for the Eagles, go post in response to an article on the NFL.
Posted 05:31 PM, 07/01/2009
AreaMan
I know facts tend to get in the way of arguments. If the Phillies call up Carrasco or Drabek, the MLB service clock starts ticking. So would you rather have them come up for 2 weeks, pitch 3 games, and then lose them 1 year earlier in their careers? Or would you prefer the Phils to call them up when they are actually ready and be able to hold onto them during their primes?
Posted 05:46 PM, 07/01/2009
GoPhilsGo
Lopez is a successful big league pitcher who is a little less than two years removed from Tommy John surgery. His last three starts for the Pigs: 3-0 with an 0.86 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a K/BB ratio of better than 7:1. Just because some of you dopes have never heard of him doesn't mean this isn't the right move.
Posted 06:15 PM, 07/01/2009
Irish Frank
I wanted Carrasco or carpenter. Saw Carpenter pitch on Saturday & he really looked good. i think they are playing mond games with Carrasco. I'd like to see them bring Carrasco, Carpenter and Drabek along together - maybe Savery too. I've had enough of Myers, Blanton & Moyer is a class act but he does not have much left in the tank. I can see a rotation of Hamels, Happ, Carrasco, Carpenter and Drabek.
Posted 06:25 PM, 07/01/2009
MattPSU
This was the best stop-gap measure the Phils had. This guy has major league experience and a .500 career record. If he doesn't work out you can just release him and no harm to any of our bright prospects. Let CC or KK wait for a longer term opening.
Posted 06:32 PM, 07/01/2009
ericg610
Dumb!
Posted 06:33 PM, 07/01/2009
Chuckle Berry
hmm... me think veteran good!
Posted 06:40 PM, 07/01/2009
Will.i.Am
Give the guy a start before you go talking your trash, he could end up pitching very well, and -igotswagga ,keep to your eagles posts your just really annoying .
Posted 06:51 PM, 07/01/2009
whofeelsit
They're holding Carrasco back because he's a headcase and he's not ready for the majors. They are afraid that if he fails early in the majors, he may never get back on track, despite his great "stuff." Drew Carpenter isn't being called because he's just not that good. He's good enough for a spot start here or there, but nothing longer term. An 86 mph fastball is not going to blow away too many major league hitters. At least Lopez has had success in the majors.
Posted 07:57 PM, 07/01/2009
theragtopguy
I'll bet it has something to do with starting the Major League service time for the rookies. The longer they keep them down in the minors, the longer they control the rights to the player when they do make it to the Major league level. Don't shoot Amaro down quite yet, I think this guy can be good. Now if he stinks up the joint and they don't bring up one of the young guns, then you can get all over Amaro.
Posted 08:14 PM, 07/01/2009
tothehouse
I am not one for panicking-but this Phils team needs a shake up in the worst way. They have become complaceant and Amaro needs to make a blockbuster trade to wake up this team. Werth, Rollins or Victorino along with a prospect or 2 to bring in some fresh blood and wake this team up.
Posted 08:31 PM, 07/01/2009
Nickawampus Leroy
Wheels says this guy is an "innings eater" so I'm OK with it. T-Mac just keeps talking...and talking....and talking....and talking.....
Posted 09:04 PM, 07/01/2009
mick314
Andy. we want details. Will Liz throw out first ball, will Lopez wear a tiara, will tea be served in the 7th inning ? C'mon man !
Posted 09:40 PM, 07/01/2009
gscstud
Andy I picked up on the joke. The physician that inspired Shakespeare...Hopefully will inspire the Phillies to win a game sometime soon.
Posted 09:59 PM, 07/01/2009
jpelle36
Another failed Amaro, Jr project in Lopez. He has no chance of succeeded. It is time to release Walker and Trashner and BaKo, the other trash acquired by Amaro, JR.
Posted 09:59 PM, 07/01/2009
jpelle36
Another failed Amaro, Jr project in Lopez. He has no chance of succeeded. It is time to release Walker and Trashner and BaKo, the other trash acquired by Amaro, JR.
Posted 10:01 PM, 07/01/2009
tulsaphil
Again the Phils have problems evaluating players and coaches. Happ was forced into the Phils starting pitching. Blanton is the next best on the staff. Amaro is following in Wade's path.The coaching stinks, the infield reserves are pitiful, Bako is useless. Park, Thrascher,Walker couldn't make any club. Dubee has not helped 1 pitcher improve and the staff is worse this than when he started. Manuel has lost this team.
Posted 10:03 PM, 07/01/2009
tulsaphil
Again the Phils have problems evaluating players and coaches. Happ was forced into the Phils starting pitching. Blanton is the next best on the staff. Amaro is following in Wade's path.The coaching stinks, the infield reserves are pitiful, Bako is useless. Park, Thrascher,Walker couldn't make any club. Dubee has not helped 1 pitcher improve and the staff is worse this than when he started. Manuel has lost this team.
Posted 10:07 PM, 07/01/2009
Nickawampus Leroy
The fish rots from the head down. Time to pull the plug on old #41 the luckiest boob this side of Mayberry R.F.D.
Posted 11:20 PM, 07/01/2009
Chinook
Typical Phillies, they continue to baby there quote top prospects, and will use a journyman pitcher with a career 65 - 65 record in the majors. Booman with a 5-4 record in AAA not really pitching lights out.
Posted 11:22 PM, 07/01/2009
butzandbutz
Lopez is a solid guy, nothing great but not horrible. You never want to bring up any of your trade chips for fear they bomb out and decrease their value. He will be fine.
Posted 03:25 AM, 07/02/2009
Chinook
Tim Lincecum was drafted 10th pick in the 1st round of the 2006 draft. He was in the majors the following year and ended up 7-5 in 24 GS with 4.00 ERA. In 2008 he won 18 games. He was 23 in 07. Carrasco and Savery both deserve a shot in the phils rotation. Considering they only have 1 pitcher right now in that being JA Happ
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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