Phillies Notebook: Phillies acquire reliever Eyre; Gordon on hold

By DAVID MURPHY
Philadelphia Daily News

dmurphy@phillynews.com

EVEN AS THE PHILLIES announced the newest addition to their bullpen yesterday, they acknowledged that one of their biggest pieces might be taken away. The organization traded for lefthander Scott Eyre yesterday, 2 days after the 36-year-old was designated for assignment by the Cubs, an acquisition that could take on added importance now with the uncertain future of veteran setup man Tom Gordon.

Gordon, already a month into a disabled-list stint, visited team Dr. Michael Ciccotti yesterday after feeling discomfort in his right elbow during a rehab appearance in Clearwater, Fla., Wednesday. Though assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he was still awaiting the results of tests performed on Gordon, he didn't sound particularly hopeful.

"We're still waiting on some diagnostics," Amaro said, "but we're not optimistic that we're going to have him any time soon."

Gordon's absence has been partially offset by the emergence of righthander Chad Durbin as one of the National League's top relievers, but Gordon has played an important role on the club. After allowing five earned runs in one-third of an inning on Opening Day, he was 5-3 with a 3.68 ERA, while holding opposing hitters to a .233 batting average.

The Phillies' hopes to regain him for the final 2 months of the season appear to be on hold.

In the meantime, the Phillies will hope that Eyre, acquired for minor league pitcher Brian Schlitter, can rebound from a rough end to his 3-year stint with the Cubs.

Eyre went 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 68 1/3 innings in 2005 with the Giants, then followed it up by pitching 113 2/3 innings in 2006 and 2007 with the Cubs (he posted a 3.38 ERA the first year and a 4.13 the second).

But he was hampered by injuries this season. Twice, he went on the disabled list, and recently was struggling with a groin injury. He appeared in only 19 games, allowing nine runs in 11 1/3 innings before the Cubs designated him for assignment.

The Phillies, who contemplated signing Eyre when he was a free agent after the 2005 season, seem to think he can still help them.

"We feel he is healthy, and [liked] the fact that he has experience and has had success in the past," Amaro said. "We've been looking for a lefthander for a long time and we think this lefthander can help us."

Medical matters, Part II

Third baseman Pedro Feliz will likely miss the team's seven-game road trip to San Diego and Los Angeles next week while he begins a rehab assignment, Amaro said. Feliz, on the disabled list since July 29 with a bulging disc, visited back specialist Todd Albert yesterday and has resumed throwing for the first time since suffering the injury.

"He's pleased with his progress," Amaro said. "It's going to take some time still. Backs are tricky."

Medical matters, Part III

Reliever Rudy Seanez (back) was pleased with his bullpen session Wednesday, reporting no ill effects yesterday. Seanez said the session went "better than expected."

Amaro said Seanez will make a couple of rehab appearances, but should be ready to rejoin the team when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 16.

Cervenak soaking it in

Mike Cervenak will turn 32 on Aug. 17, but he doesn't view his first major league hit as an early birthday gift. The longtime minor league infielder, who hit an RBI single in the sixth in the Phillies' 5-0 win over the Marlins on Wednesday, joked that he will use the ball as a wedding present for his cousin next month.

"He told me, 'I'll give you $100 for that ball,' " Cervenak said. "I said, 'Perfect. You just got your wedding gift.' "

In all seriousness, Cervenak said the hit was well worth the wait.

"It gives you a little self-worth," he said. *

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