Orr wins final roster spot; Rollins to bat third
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Orr wins final roster spot; Rollins to bat third
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies opening day roster is set. Pete Orr claims the 25th spot over Delwyn Young, who will go to triple-A Lehigh Valley. The bullpen stays status quo as Mike Stutes will begin in triple A too.
For your consumption:
CATCHERS (2)
Carlos Ruiz
Brian Schneider
INFIELDERS (7)
Ryan Howard
Wilson Valdez
Jimmy Rollins
Placido Polanco
Ross Gload
Michael Martinez
Pete Orr
OUTFIELDERS (4)
Raul Ibanez
Shane Victorino
Ben Francisco
John Mayberry Jr.
STARTERS (5)
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
RELIEVERS (7)
Jose Contreras
Ryan Madson
J.C. Romero
Danys Baez
Antonio Bastardo
David Herndon
Kyle Kendrick
Five players were placed on the disabled list: Chase Utley, Brad Lidge, Domonic Brown, Brian Schlitter and Brian Bocock.
The other news is interesting: Charlie Manuel said Jimmy Rollins will not bat leadoff Friday. Instead, he will bat third.
This will mark the first Opening Day Rollins has not batted leadoff since 2004. That season it was Marlon Byrd. Only one other time has Rollins not batted leadoff in his career and that was 2001 (Doug Glanville).
Read Thursday's Inquirer for more.
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Comments (25)
Jimmy is in a contract year and he will hit. Of course Utley will be missed, but what a pitching staff. Victorino, Ibanez and Francisco need to help replace Utley's big stick. I think they can do that, and maybe more if they all stay healthy. Has any team ever lead the league in runs scored and ERA before?— Paul SoTX
Comment removed.- 10 points below the ML avg.— EL Zorro
- Peter Orr is the 2011 version of Eric Bruntlett. In five seasons, the career journeyman who couldn't keep his job with the awful Nats, has a .260 BA, .287 OBP, a .335 SLG (for a combined 623 OPS), 19 BB against 98 K's and 13 SB against 7 Caught CS in 347 games. Oh, and his career .967 is 10 points the ML league avg. I guess Charlie likes to keep scrubs on his team, so they can remind him of how bad a player he was. Unbelievable.— EL Zorro
- Ha, ha. You almost had me. You sure are some funny fellers.— JayW
- "how can they start rollins - a .247BA(spring training)"- If fans watched the games instead of reading stats they would realize Jimmy has been hitting the ball very well. Be nice to give Jimmy the respect he deserves and wait until we are past April 1st before dogging on him.
— pattymac3 - This is the April Fool's lineup, right? Rollins batting third. I'd like to see Ruiz leading off. That would also be fun.— JayW
- Ready for the opener, been psyched all winter long, very sad to know we'll go weeks or months without the chance to watch and root for Chase, but we'll play the hand that's dealt and kick some arse.
I'm good with Rollins at #3 or #5 in the order when he hits right-handed against the lefties, but, against a righty when he hits left? I'd hit him 8th. He does nothing but swing for the fences and he'll hit about a hundred 200-foot homers to shallow centerfield. And the best thing about him is that he NEVER CHANGES HIS APPROACH AND NEVER WILL. He thinks he's too good for that.— advantasux - i'm glad charlie finaly moved rollins out of the lead off but he didn't move him far enough down he's no way a three hitter he's a rally killer i think our offence stinks not one 300 hitter no contact hitter it's a shame with our million $ pitching staff we have a 5&10 cent offence. what a waste.— ocpop
- I'm with you eman. This lineup (and Contreras closing) makes sense to me as a starting point. It may end up having issues but that's why you let the season start and play out -- the lineup and bullpen roles can be changed. Rollins could end up batting 6th or 7th later. I'm willing to see how he fares at third to start. Play Ball!— s
- so Philly Dave....let me get this straight. you're not enthused about this lineup, the one that includes the obvious replacement for Werth in right field (Francisco) who we knew would be in the lineup since last winter, and one regular replacement for Utley (obviously, an unforseen injury). So, with the exception of missing Utley, the lineup, infield, bullpen, and bench are basically what we have all expected since December (when the Phils signed Cliff Lee) and, after which, I'm sure your enthusiam was off the charts. Sounds like you are now about as enthused as you were circa 2007 (when I'm sure you weren't even following the team out of spring training)— starman76
- First, ahem, Charlie must have read my post yesterday. Kidding. Charlie gave a BIG hint about this when he said Howard will be fine as long as he has guys on base when he comes to bat. So, what did we do? We put Victorino, Polanco and Rollins in front of him to get on base. Makes sense to me. And, we have Ibanez and Francisco to try to protect Howard in the 5 hole. Best options we have and I agree with many that Francisco will be at worst a respectable replacement for Werth. A lot of these moves make sense, including Martinez, who plays 6 positions and can pinch run. And Orr, who has options left when (if?) Utley returns. I like it. I like Contreras closing and Madson setting up. Let's roll.— eman
- Jimmy Rollins is a seventh place hitter until he becomes more consistent. He is very poor a taking a walk and moving runners, and he can't work the count to get a better pitch to hit. I believe Rollins batting third will not last the entire season because the fans won't appreciate his non-productive stats. He is at best a .250 hitter that tries to swing for the fences, and now that he is hitting third, you will see more pop-outs to the outfield or strike-outs. I believe pitchers will pitch around Howard. The Phillies would best be advised to let Rollins walk after this season as the money he will command is not worth his current playing ability. Orr made the team because Polanco is hurt, and might not be able to play everyday, and Orr can platoon with him.— RunningTheBases
- how can they start rollins - a .247BA(spring training)- .243BA(2010) third in the lineup? i mean - how???? loyalty can only take you so far. i'd be highly surprised if rollins put up better numbers this year but i can't see it happening. i feel his best is behind him. when he was good, he was really good.
— tmq - I like Jimmy batting third. I didn't expect this from Charlie ... pleasantly surprised.— s
- Before you post about Baez, remember this number: 2.7 That was his spring ERA and that's how many millions we pay him this year whether he plays or not. So you cut him now for what reason? You guys need to put last year behind you. He may end up a bust but you have to start by giving him a shot. He may do very well as a 7th inning guy.— s
- REALLY, BAEZ IS STILL HERE????— DONDEN31
- I thought Young would make it over Orr. Orr's triple tonight was nice and he got around those bases faster than I thought he was. So I'm fine with that call. Really, Orr/Young/Barfield could have gone to any of the three. I like that they're working some young guys in. Can't wait for that first pitch.— s
- So does this mean Manuel finally realized that J-Roll is not a leadoff hitter? If that happens, that could be the best thing I've heard all spring training.— buttermilk67
- My first thought after learning Castillo'd been cut was that something else must be cooking, a deal in the works. Phils picked up Kevin Frandsen from Padre's for what?... he's another mediocre hitting infielder. Just for Lehigh?, or as a throw-into a trade for someone who can play better than a Luis Castillo?....
Orr has played well ... well enough to make the roster?, he does gives Charlie another option just in case Polly's elbow isn't quite right, and does it at a price Ruben and ownership can afford. - Holy Smokes !!! New guys making the Opening Day Roster....
Mayberry, Martinez, Orr (I hope these guys make the grade...)
Bastardo and Valdez (weren't on Opening Day roster last year...I think)
And many thanks to JRoll for batting third while he prefers leadoff. Here ya go, Jimmy. Will you hold down the 3 hole for us so we can complain all year long that you're not Chase Utley and how much we miss him? Thanks, Jimmy!!
— CouchKing - Actually Jimmy hasn't held down any spot in the line up over the last 2 years so if he managed to do that anywhere it would be a relief for the whole team. — Wally 24
- Geez, dave, give it a rest. With all the injuries and time lost last year to just about every starter, the Phillies won 97 games to lead the league. Can we at least start the season before crying?— mike l
- not crying Mike, guess I'm just feeling deflated after Spring training...and sorta kinda confused by the final roster makeup! AND, for what it's worth, I can't wait for the season to start, got my Phillies banner ready to hang outside the house for all to see, Friday can't come soon enuff!
- WOW, what a roster...we only have glaring holes in the infield, outfield and relief corps...guess Charlie will just let the starters pitch all 9 innings every game, and hope someone hits a home run...oh wait we did that last year and a team who plays fundamental baseball beat us and went on to win the WS...it really is difficult to be enthused about this year when you actually see the roster in front of you, Phabulous Four aside...
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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