Madson is back; Mathieson moved
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Madson is back; Mathieson moved
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- Less than an hour before Saturday's game against the Giants, Ryan Madson was activated from the paternity leave list. The Phillies closer made it here just in time and is available to pitch.
Not surprisingly, Scott Mathieson was the player moved to clear space for Madson. But the Phillies designated Mathieson for assignment rather than simply optioning him to triple A. Mathieson had options remaining, but the Phillies will now expose him to waivers in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Mathieson is arbitration-eligible this winter for the first time. He is sure to be non-tendered.
The 40-man roster was full before and an open spot offers the Phillies flexibility. Two pitchers at triple A, Phillippe Aumont and Michael Schwimer, are both having fantastic seasons. But neither is on the 40-man roster. They can now be added at a later date.
The Phillies have another roster move to make, likely right after Saturday's game. Roy Oswalt must be activated from the disabled list for Sunday's start. Ben Francisco could see his time in the majors end -- at least temporarily.
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Could have used "mad dog Madson" last night - lol— jking91- They have never shown any confidence in Mathieson even thoough his fastball touches 98 mph. Kept him in the minors while dogs like Baez, Herndon, and the bullpenner recently sent down got opportunities. Never understood this.— blaqjaq
- he had no secondary pitches. everyone in the big leagues can hit a fast ball. — wobblie
Comment removed.- They could easily create another roster spot by designating for assignment Francisco after today's game and miss next to nothing.— Dull
- They could easily create another roster spot by designating for assignment Francisco after today's game and miss next to nothing.— Dull
- blaqjaq - Mainly because the 98 mph fastball was usually straight as an arrow and when it was thrown for a strike, it was in the fat part of the plate. He also never really had an effective complimentary pitch. Heat like that will be fine against minor league hitters, but the major leaguers eat straight 98 mph pitches for breakfast.— centerfield
- uhh, also he has had like FOUR recontructive surgeries already. One tommy john is a good thing....4 is not. hes pitching on a miracle and hes still not good enough for the majors. hes at best the last reliever in the bullpen that you put in when your down 11-3 in the 8th inning. seems like a good guy, but he should probably sell that hyperbaric chamber and look into other options.— CharlieGarner25
- Francisco may well be DFA'd, since barring injuries to other Phillies outfielders, he'll never see the Phillies roster again....beyond a September callup.— SteveS11
- Amen, centerfield. It could be 108 mph - if it doesn't move enough to miss MLB bats, it's gonna get crushed. When your only option is a flat fastball, you're not going to cut it at the major league level.— Doctor D
- Aumont is NOT fantastic. Mistake to designate the Mathman.— NewMick314
- This will be the Fat Man's last year.— Justaschmuck
- I was optimistic about Francisco at the start of the year, but the guy just didn't cut it. RJA must have thought so too, but if it brought us to the point of ending up with Pence, it was [werth} it...— yobill626
- The problem that I've always seen with Mathieson is that his fastball is as straight as an arrow. Major league hitters have no problems catching up to a heater that has no movement.— southpaw57
- As of now the transactions page at phillies.com is showing--listed with Sunday's date--Oswalt activated and Juan Perez optioned to LV. That leaves Bastardo as the only lefty in the bullpen. Could a waiver deal for a situational lefthander be in the works?— RickB
- Those who you suggesting that Francisco/Herndon should be DFAed should remember that they are both option-able and can be sent down without going through waivers.— judas_priest
- Actually, I don't believe the Phillies had any choice but to DFA Mathieson in order to open a roster spot for Madson. Mathieson can't just be optioned; he has got to clear optional assignment waivers because he made his MLB debut more than three years ago, and you can't waive a player over the weekend. So the only way to open a spot for Madson today was to designate Mathieson for assignment; that move creates room on the 25-man roster for Madson. If Mathieson clears waivers next week, then he can be sent to Lehigh Valley.— paolibulldog
- Well...with Victorino probably seeing a suspension, maybe Francisco will make it back up to the roster before September SteveS11....if anything to just sit on the bench the way Mayberry is playing.— tony b
- Hey, Matt, it's Sunday morning and this post still says the Phillies had to make a move right after the game on Saturday. Care to update us?— Dave Clemens
- Vogelsong part Deux..?— patrickstar
- For those who don't like Herndon, chill out.
Herndon gets a lot of ground ball outs. He'll be in the picture as a reliever unless he gets hurt, or really screws up.— phineas - Absolutely. Since July 6, Herndon has pitched 8 1/3 innings, given up 6 hits, one walk, one run. Those are mostly not in close games, but you still need to get those outs and eat up those innings. For a Rule 5 guy making the minimum, he's been pretty good. Don't get rid of him just because he's not as good as Madson, Bastardo, Stutes, and Kendrick (not too long ago, posters were calling for his head, too). Keep him until there is a better option. He may be better than Lidge at this point. By the way, between him and Martinez, Amaro seems to have done a good job with the Rule 5 pickups. Both better than expected. — altoonaaslan
