More shoulder problems for Mike Adams prompts arrival of Kenny Giles

CINCINNATI — For 18 games, Mike Adams' twice-repaired right shoulder held together. The 35-year-old reliever won Ryne Sandberg's trust in key situations and resembled the pitcher the Phillies once signed to a $12 million contract. Then he threw 27 pitches one night at Citizens Bank Park and the pain returned.

Adams was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with more shoulder inflammation. He is concerned; an injection Monday during a doctor's appointment is possible. It is a blow to a weak Phillies bullpen while another possible trade asset come July is damaged.

Hard-throwing righthander Kenny Giles will replace Adams in the bullpen. Giles, the 23-year-old cause célèbre of a tortured fan base, will arrive Sunday at Great American Ballpark as the team's 22d pitcher used in 2014.

Giles has a 1.88 ERA in 24 games at double-A Reading and triple-A Lehigh Valley with 38 strikeouts and 13 walks. His numbers were not as dominant after the promotion last month to Allentown.

"He's had some good outings," Sandberg said. "He's the next guy in line for us."

Adams was the bullpen's main righthanded setup man. He asked for two days off after his outing May 30 when he walked three Mets. He did not pitch for a week, but after five pitches to record one out Friday, there was no improvement.

"I'm always worried about it, especially considering the history," Adams said. "Any time I felt a little bit of discomfort I got worried. I don't want to try to throw through this right now. It's still pretty early in the season. Hopefully if we can clear it up and strengthen it back up, it'll go away."

Adams started the season on the disabled list as he recovered from major surgery last July. He has a 2.12 ERA in 17 innings with 20 strikeouts and seven walks. He recaptured his form as an effective reliever.

"That's probably the most frustrating part," Adams said. "I felt like pitching-wise, I had gotten back to where I was in the past. For something like this to happen while I'm successful, it's a little harder."

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