No obvious option for Wednesday start
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No obvious option for Wednesday start
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies need a starting pitcher for Wednesday's game, and as Charlie Manuel sauntered to the batting cage before Monday's win, he offered no hints.
"We don't know yet," Manuel said. "Seriously, we don't."
Pitching coach Rich Dubee and Manuel later discussed their options, and there is no obvious one. The need for a sixth starter was prompted by Sunday's doubleheader.
Kyle Kendrick could pitch on three days' rest, but that's unlikely, and would also force either Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels to do the same Thursday. Kendrick threw 93 pitches in four innings Saturday.
Triple-A Lehigh Valley's scheduled starter Wednesday is lefty Tom Cochran, who has spent 10 seasons in the minors without a taste of the big leagues. Double-A Reading is scheduled to throw Julio Rodriguez, a 21-year-old prospect with all of 14 starts above single A.
They could hand the game over to the bullpen and have, say, Raul Valdes start. He could possibly stretch to three innings and then it would be all hands on deck. But judging how the bullpen has fared this season, blowing the whole unit on one night may be counter intuitive.
Tyler Cloyd has a 2.17 ERA in 11 triple-A starts, but he last started Saturday. He threw 96 pitches and would have to make his major-league debut on short rest if he were to start Wednesday. Hard to see that.
Veteran Scott Elarton has 170 career major-league starts to his name — although none since 2007. But he pitched Sunday for the IronPigs and that pushes him out of the mix.
A few Twitter followers mentioned the recently released Jamie Moyer, but it's difficult to see the Phillies signing the 49-year-old lefty for one start. You never know, of course. UPDATE: Moyer signed a minor-league deal with injury-ravaged Toronto early Tuesday morning.
Either way, the Phillies aren't exactly flush with exciting options.
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What about that Les Walrond? R.J. Swindell? Nate Robertson, anyone?
Stick Rosenberg in there to see how many consecutive walks he can issue?
Or maybe bring back the D-Train and bat him 8th?
Of course I'm being slightly silly. The Phils' brain trust is assuredly two steps ahead here and has a well thought out plan.— dasher- Maybe this is one of those instances where Manuel would appreciate some suggestions via Twitter.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- dasher, I don't know....I don't really think they have a clue......— Mark1npt
- Tyler Cloyd supported by the bullpen is your only option. If the kid can't get amped up to pitch on somewhat short rest no one can. Come make your big league debut and make a name for yourself. We have way too many primadonnas as it is. Hunger breeds success. Make it happen, be a hero.— Dr. D.
- Give the ball to Cloyd and see what he's made of. Give him 5-6 innings and a handshake and send him back...unless, of course, he does something fantastic.— ngfs66
- KK pitched about 42 pitches on Sat, pitch him Wed, like 2 days in pen.
Then Thursday pitch Tyler Cloyd on normal rest, time to see the kid.
Keeps rest of rotation on sch. Not that hard to compute.
And finally bump Friend up to AAA.— WFChamps - Yup. You got it.
— zubzub - Where's Wilson Valdes with his O.OO era when we need him? Yes, I know he's gone :(
- Start KK on short rest Wednesday. 5 innings tops. Pitch Cloyd on full rest on Thursday. Done.— zubzub
- This is the correct answer. Assuming success, Cloyd should then stay in the rotation and use KK back in long relief. — Krusty
- Julio. A baby ace.— wo_fat
- When asked for comment, possible starter for Wednesday's game Tom Cochran said, " Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's ne day here and the next day gone
Somethimes you bend and sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your head to the wind
There's a world outside ev'ry darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate
Break down the garden's gate
There's not much time left today"— AreaMan - Really - I heard he simply sang Led Zeppelin's "What Is And What Should Never Be." — Krusty
- Yeah, that sounds like a no.— zubzub
