Mathieson among first cuts
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A small surprise this morning in Phillies camp: Scott Mathieson, who was looking to fill one of the final bullpen spots, was among the first players reassigned to minor league camp today.
Mathieson among first cuts
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A small surprise this morning in Phillies camp: Scott Mathieson, who was looking to fill one of the final bullpen spots, was among the first players reassigned to minor league camp today.
Mathieson, who has had two Tommy John surgeries, was a feel-good story coming into camp. During his return to action last season, he routinely hit high 90s with his fastball. But his secondary pitches -- especially his slider -- have needed work. And the Phillies have been concerned about his relative lack of innings last season.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. reiterated all those points this morning when asked about Mathieson. Mathieson pitched 32 1/3 innings in the minors last season. He also pitched 12 2/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League. Amaro didn't rule out Mathieson being a contributor this season at the big-league level, but the Phillies want him to log more time before that.
"He's a guy we didn't feel was going to be ready to go in April [for us] and be refined enough in his secondary stuff to be able to compete for a job at the big league level," Amaro said. "He's just a guy who needs to go out there and pitch."
Mathieson was not available for comment this morning.
Here are the other cuts:
RHP Phillippe Aumont
LHP Yohan Flande
RHP Drew Naylor
RHP J.C. Ramirez
RHP Jesus Sanchez
LHP Joe Savery
LHP Bill White
C Tuffy Goeswisch
C Kevin Nelson
C John Suomi
SS Freddy Galvis
OF Quintin Berry
OF Tyson Gillies
Most notably missing from that list is Domonic Brown, who will stay in major-league camp for the time being. Obviously, the Phillies want to see him as long as they can before sending him down.
The cuts leave the camp roster at 44 players.
THE LINEUP
The Twins are in town for a 1 p.m. game and the Phillies will send out their everyday lineup for the first time this spring.
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Jayson Werth 9
6. Raul Ibanez 7
7. Shane Victorino 8
8. Ben Francisco DH
9. Carlos Ruiz 2
J.A. Happ will start.
MOYER IS B LISTED AGAIN
With the rainouts yesterday messing up the Phillies' pitching schedule, the team added a B game with Toronto in Dunedin on Monday. And Jamie Moyer will once again start. Moyer's first two appearances of the spring have been against the Toronto B team. So will his third.
Moyer's first actual Grapefruit League appearance will come on March 20 when he pitches against Detroit in Lakeland, Fla. Roy Halladay will start that game and Moyer is scheduled to be the first reliever.
LIDGE UPDATE
Closer Brad Lidge will throw his second batting practice session of the spring this morning. If all goes well, he said, he could be pitching in the B game on Monday against Toronto.
UPDATE (12:23 p.m.): Spoke to Lidge, he's all good to go for Monday. He thinks his game debut will be in a minor league game but isn't 100 percent sure yet. Lidge said his stuff felt even better today.
And a little more on J.C. Romero: He will throw breaking balls for the first time on Sunday. He threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday and even uncorked a few change-ups. His bullpen session on Sunday will be the first time he throws off a mound on just one day rest. So obviously there has been some progression, but even Romero says he's still unlikely for opening day. But at this point, a return may not be too long after April 5.
well it seems that the phillies are intent on making sure that jamie gets that 5th starter position, starting games against b teams and when he does pitch against a real major league team its going to be after the major leaguers are out, just not fair it should be kendricks job— erodriguez
Comment removed.
Track record goes a long way early on, but perfromance will tell the tale once the season begins. It's almost as if they're setting Moyer up to get rocked in April/May...although that may be a little too dramatic and devious for a club that prides itself on being 1st class. But how else do you get a 47 y/o pitcher who served you well over the years, who still believes he belongs to hang 'em up after a harsh injury and infection?? Moyer is owed a fair shot, but all of these B games are hardly a valid barometer. Don't forget about Pedro in May/June if Kendrick does not shine either. The baseball fan in me is rooting for Moyer, the Phillies fan believes the best man deserves the 5th spot, Kendrick, Moyer, or another Pedro appearance this Summer.- They seem to know what to do when it comes to pitching. I'm not standing next to Jamie or Kyle when they're throwing so I have no real idea. Three post seasons with patchwork rotations says to me they have a good idea of what their pitchers can do and how to use them.— RichieAllen64
- Chris, I wouldn't say they're setting Moyer up to get rocked, they're helping him build his confidence up as he recovers from these surgeries. They still have 20 or so games left and they'll ease him into MLB level action cautiously, as they should.— celtic_13
- Tuffy, you will be missed.— ForWhoForWhat?
- If Pedro shows up this summer, it's because there's a train wreck. Hopefully this is only what it says, that Mathieson needs to work on his other pitches, would like to see him have some luck after all he's been through.— PhillySubsMac
- I'm not saying it either. What I was suggesting was to question the method, that it might lead to Moyer straining his neck when he might get lit up watching ball fly out of the various NL parks in April & May. My suggestion was more satirical than anything. I question if the Phillies truly believe in his ability or are they simply honoring his time served?
- all three seattle prospects from the lee deal were cut. no surprise there. thanks a lot ruben.— zwarte piet
- all three seattle prospects from the lee deal were cut. no surprise there. thanks a lot ruben.— zwarte piet
- I just hope that by having a contact hitter batting second, that JRoll will focus more on getting on base, and not try to hit every pitch out of the park.— 4thand10
- RichieAllen, not sure how you think they know what they are doing. Remember Park over Happ last year? Happ in the bullpen for the series? The fifth starter shouldn't cost them too many games, so anyone who thinks Moyer will earn this spot by talent and not by salary-owed, still doesn't know the Phils too well. They will give this to Moyer while Kendrick waits in the pen for him to fail.— KendallKid
- where exactly do they "route for approval" these documents and why does this routing process take so long? the "route" these comments take is like the blue route during rush hour.— zwarte piet
- where exactly do they "route for approval" these comments and why does this routing process take so long? the "route" these comments take is like the blue route during rush hour.— zwarte piet
- all three seattle prospects from the lee deal were cut. no surprise there. thanks a lot ruben.— zwarte piet
