Posted on Mon, Jun. 30, 2008
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Phillies have a plan for
Brett Myers, but they said yesterday it has not been finalized.
It could be today.
A realistic scenario is skipping Myers' spot in the rotation Thursday in Atlanta.
Phillies general manager
Pat Gillick said on the team's pregame radio show Saturday that they would make an "adjustment" to the rotation this week. Phils pitching coach
Rich Dubee also said Saturday that skipping Myers is a definite possibility.
"I want to make sure we do what's right for our team and Brett," manager
Charlie Manuel said.
Myers, who is 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA, declined comment again yesterday. He has not talked since he allowed five hits, five runs and four walks in just two-plus innings Friday in a loss to the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark. It was the shortest start of his career and made the Phillies just 3-14 when he starts.
The normally boisterous Myers has been noticeably subdued this weekend.
"He's definitely kind of mentally spent right now," Manuel said. "Those are things we've been talking about."
If the Phillies skip Myers' turn in the rotation, they wouldn't need a starter until Saturday. That's because
Cole Hamels and
Jamie Moyer could pitch on normal rest Thursday and Friday with the day off today. But Manuel said, if possible, he would like to give Moyer an extra day of rest so he remains fresh the second half of the season.
Moyer threw 116 pitches in yesterday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers, and Manuel sounded even more inclined to give Moyer an extra day, which means the Phillies might need a starter Friday if they skip Myers.
If the Phillies skip Myers,
Chad Durbin could make a spot start, although he likely could not pitch long into a game.
"We'll talk about the guys we've got on our staff and the things we can do and want to do," Manuel said. "I want to keep our pitching as strong as it possibly can be. We've got a lot of things we can do, but it's what we think is best."
Asked about minor-league options, Manuel said, "I don't know about that yet."
Taguchi snubbed
Manuel needed a leftfielder to replace
Pat Burrell in the seventh inning Saturday, and he chose
Eric Bruntlett over
So Taguchi. Bruntlett has played 55 of his 313 big-league games in the outfield. Taguchi has played 518 of his 521 in the outfield.
That has been the norm for Taguchi this month. He has not started since June 1. He also has had just four at-bats since then.
He has become the 25th man buried deep on the bench.
"Taguchi hasn't been getting enough playing time and that's been hurting his hitting," Manuel said. "But that also hurts your defense and base running. Taguchi needs to get more playing time. He's not sharp right now. That doesn't mean that I think he can't play defense, but at the same time he's had some trouble in the outfield."
Taguchi is hitting just .206 (13 for 63) with four RBIs in 57 games. He also has misplayed some balls in the outfield. But if playing time is important, Manuel holds the key.
"Until something breaks for him, I'm having a hard time finding places for him to play," he said.
Taguchi is being a good soldier about it, although he acknowledges the lack of at-bats has hurt his production. He entered the season a .283 career hitter, and had 307 or more at-bats in each of the previous three seasons. He won't get near that this season, unless something drastic happens.
"I can only do what I can do," Taguchi said. "I'm trying to keep my mind fresh and my body fresh. . . . Maybe I have to be patient right now, but I'm always prepared to play."
Base-stealer caught
Rangers catcher
Max Ramirez threw out
Shane Victorino trying to steal second base in the first inning. It snapped a streak of 25 consecutive stolen bases for the team. The Phillies had not been thrown out since June 6, when Braves catcher
Brian McCann threw out Victorino.
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