Why Worley is an IronPig
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The fireworks finale was coming and Vance Worley stood in a tunnel outside the visitors clubhouse at Sun Life Stadium answering questions about his latest gem, a 1-0 Phillies win.
Why Worley is an IronPig
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The fireworks finale was coming and Vance Worley stood in a tunnel outside the visitors clubhouse at Sun Life Stadium answering questions about his latest gem, a 1-0 Phillies win.
The Phillies had already planned to start Cole Hamels on the final day of the first half, which would have been Worley's turn, meaning the 23-year-old rookie could go nearly two weeks between starts.
He was asked if he knew what plans the Phillies had for him.
"I have no idea," Worley said. "You guys will know before I do."
Inside the clubhouse, the Phillies decision-makers had already plotted Worley's fate. He entered the room, was told he had been optioned, and that was that.
In a lot of ways, it makes plenty of sense. Worley was damaged when the team moved him from the rotation to the bullpen in May. He went 13 days between starts when the team optioned him to triple A for one start to stretch out. In the two starts immediately after, he allowed 11 runs (eight earned) in eight innings.
After making three more minor-league starts, Worley returned to the majors with purpose. He allowed two runs in 25 innings over four starts.
"He could have been very disappointed and hung his head," catcher Brian Schneider said. "But he knew when he was sent down he was going to get his stuff back to where it was. It's not easy going from starting to the bullpen. You don't see any kind of attitude from him. When he's out there pitching you don't know if he's given up two hits or 10 hits. He's the same guy. He's really matured a lot."
And with one of the three remaining aces -- Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels -- starting four of the five games before the break, there was no sense in keeping Worley around. He will start Saturday for Lehigh Valley in Syracuse, N.Y., and then probably start the first game after the All-Star Break against the Mets.
The corresponding move will come Tuesday. It's likely John Mayberry Jr. who will return to the majors, providing Charlie Manuel with an extra bat and another center fielder with questions about Shane Victorino's availability.
All in all, without Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton for a period in the first half, the Phillies could not have imagined a better scenario than the one Worley presented.
The rotation for the rest of the first half is as follows:
Tuesday at FLA: Cole Hamels
Wednesday at FLA: Kyle Kendrick
Thursday: OFF
Friday vs. ATL: Roy Halladay
Saturday vs. ATL: Cliff Lee
Sunday vs. ATL: Cole Hamels*
*That start will prohibit Hamels from pitching at all in the All-Star Game.
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evilvet:
When KK came up his early ERA was much higher than what Worley is showing now. This suggests that Worley may in fact be a better pitcher. Even if his ERA goes up to 3.50 from its current 2.20 or so, that's still quite good.— judas_priest- He needs to shut down the Mets in his next start since they beat him up at the end of May— shawnmac
- Worley is no flash in the pan... this kid knows how to pitch.. Uses both sides of the plate. Battles like crazy.. Is a nice hitter for a pitcher..Phillies have to be thinking he's a cog for the long term right now. Any thought of trading him would be a huge mistake..He's so much better than Kendrick already. Love this guys swagger and poise..— bradco
- wait, mayberry's coming up as an extra bat? i think he meant extra K...— nyphilliephan
- I see lonewolf has a new alias...(Don't) ThinkTwice. If all you are going to spout is nonsense, do us a favor and just go away!
Vorley is better off getting a regular start with the 'Pigs rather than warming the bench waiting to be a long man over the last 5 games. He's been a VERY pleasant surprise. Phils still need better/more consistent offense, but the pitchers have really held up their end, especially the young kids.— akh 
Comment removed.- I LOVE THE VANIMAL. DON'T TRADE HIM FOR A BAT THIS GUY IS A NO. 2 TYPE PITCHER AND WILL BE GREAT WITH LEE, HALLADAY AND HAMELS FOR YEARS TO COME!!!!— AbeVigoda
- Why don't Phils just designate Baez for reassignment and clear the roster spot? i think this is his last year under contract. He was a mistake but it is done.
Manuel and Dubee have lost all confidence in him so what is the point. He is dead wood.— martyhenry - Makes sense to send him down, and glad things were explained to him as such. He did such a great job for this team this time around, and I look forward to his continued starts...— PhilliefaninAZ
- When Worley is pitching and winning playoff games in October, this will be a small footnote! Go Phills— gmr18901
- With Shane out, the need for a RH power hitter is still there. And seeing Ludwick struggling, and Josh Wil out, one wonders who else the team could AFFORD??!!— Koons
- VW has performed well especially on the road. Can't wait to face the Braves this weekend.— BFlint
- lonewolf everytime i read these posts i see your tired anti halliday stuff, except you changed your name to think twice. so what happened did roy snub you for an autograph or something ?— deatheater
- The more important question is when Vance is recalled - why not shake things up and send down Francisco and give Mayberry a clear shot for the balance of the month and prior to the deadline??— Northcountry
- Frames strikes again............Does Frames have a sidekick?— feudal_nobility09
