Phillies Notes | Warden returned to former team
As they try to sort out their bullpen situation, the Phillies plan to bring plenty of pitchers north. They offered Rule 5 draft pick Jim Ed Warden back to Cleveland yesterday, and the Indians accepted. The righthander went 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in seven appearances this spring. For the Phillies to have kept him, Warden would have had to remain on the 25-man roster the entire season.
CLEARWATER, Fla. - As they try to sort out their bullpen situation, the Phillies plan to bring plenty of pitchers north.
They offered Rule 5 draft pick Jim Ed Warden back to Cleveland yesterday, and the Indians accepted. The righthander went 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in seven appearances this spring. For the Phillies to have kept him, Warden would have had to remain on the 25-man roster the entire season.
Manager Charlie Manuel said the Phillies were "more than likely" to open the season with 12 pitchers.
"That's another thing we're still talking about," Manuel said.
Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Adam Eaton, Jamie Moyer and Freddy Garcia make up the rotation. Tom Gordon, Ryan Madson, Geoff Geary, Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Smith are locks for the bullpen. Clay Condrey appears safe, which leaves one bullpen job open - if Jon Lieber (strained abdominal muscle) opens on the disabled list, as expected. Lieber played catch yesterday and will throw again today.
For the moment, righthander Zack Segovia appears to be headed for that last spot.
Garcia has right biceps tendinitis and is expected to open the season on the DL. The club would activate him before his first start, probably April 7 or 8 in Florida. That means the Phillies would have just 24 players on their active roster if Garcia, Lieber and catcher Chris Coste (strained hamstring) open on the DL.
"We could open with four starters and eight relievers," Manuel said.
But the Phils are struggling to find seven relievers, much less eight. And with a day off Tuesday, it might not be necessary. Manuel said he would rather have an extra bat off the bench anyway. That bat could be Coste, if he is healthy enough.
It's also possible that the 25th man could come from outside the organization.
Phillies 9, Devil Rays 2
The Phillies, who improved to 11-16-2, have won three of their last four. . . . Myers (2.04 ERA) allowed three hits in six shutout innings. He walked two and struck out seven. His next start will be Monday against Atlanta on opening day at Citizens Bank Park. "I think I'm ready," the righthander said. . . .
Jayson Werth
(.273) homered in the sixth. . . .
Jimmy Rollins
(.386) went 2 for 2. . . .
Wes Helms
(.377) and
Abraham Nuñez
(.273) went 2 for 4.
Extra bases
Freddy Garcia
played long toss yesterday. "He's making progress," pitching coach
Rich Dubee
said. . . . The Phillies play their final Grapefruit League game this afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Lefthander
J.A. Happ
(0-2, 6.06 ERA) will start for the Phils.
- Todd Zolecki