Farm crop not ripe for picking Garcia fill-in

KANSAS CITY - The Phillies expect nothing promising from Freddy Garcia's exam with Dr. Michael Ciccotti today, which means they need a long-term solution in their starting rotation.

Garcia left Friday's game against the Royals after giving up six runs in 1 2/3 innings with a shoulder strain that has troubled him all season. He landed on the 15-day disabled list, where the club expects him to stay for much, if not all, of the rest of the season.

The Phillies will not consider reinserting Brett Myers into the rotation. He was the No. 1 starter entering the season, moved to the bullpen April 18, and has been on the disabled list since May 24 with a shoulder strain.

"It's a bad time for this to happen to us," assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said.

Triple A righthander J.D. Durbin (2-4, 5.13) has been inconsistent, but he appears to be the best bet for an internal promotion. The Phillies appear to lack a viable candidate at their top two levels in the minors to replace Garcia. Zach Segovia (1-7, 4.92) has struggled with his control all season after opening with the major league club in Garcia's place as Garcia battled right shoulder tendinitis. Lefty J.A. Happ (1-2, 4.09) is hurt (elbow) but getting healthy, though he won't be coming off the DL to join the major league team; neither will Matt Childers (4-1, 3.41), who has been out since May 15 (knee). Double A righty Kyle Kendrick (4-7, 3.21) has been better than his record - but he has been so at Double A.

If Durbin or one of his peers doesn't work out, it probably means the Phillies will have to make a trade, one that possibly includes centerfielder Aaron Rowand, their most valuable trade piece and, on paper, their most replaceable.

It would be a cutting coincidence if Garcia's injury leads to Rowand's departure from Philadelphia, a town that loves him and one that he loves. Rowand was one of the biggest endorsers of the Garcia acquisition; they were teammate with the White Sox.

As for the origin of Garcia's injury, the Phillies say they are satisfied he was healthy when they traded prospects Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez for him in December. They note that he passed a team physical this spring.

Injured closer Brett Myers yesterday threw off flat ground for the sixth straight day, this time from 120 feet. He expects to toss lightly today and hopes to throw off the mound tomorrow . . . Second baseman Chase Utley got yesterday off, the second time he didn't start this season. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has started every one of the club's 63 games; Charlie Manuel said he wants to get Rollins a day off. Then again, after Rollins' three hits yesterday, he is 14-for-32 in his last seven games. However, he is 7-for-40 with 12 strikeouts against Javier Vazquez, tonight's White Sox starter . . . . Class A Lakewood second baseman Kevin Howard had seven RBI in a 10-4 victory over Delmarva yesterday. He had an RBI double in the first inning, a three-run double in the fifth and a three-run triple in the ninth. He is batting .330.*

Injured closer yesterday threw off flat ground for the sixth straight day, this time from 120 feet. He expects to toss lightly today and hopes to throw off the mound tomorrow . . . Second baseman got yesterday off, the second time he didn't start this season. Shortstop has started every one of the club's 63 games; said he wants to get Rollins a day off. Then again, after Rollins' three hits yesterday, he is 14-for-32 in his last seven games. However, he is 7-for-40 with 12 strikeouts against tonight's White Sox starter . . . . Class A Lakewood second baseman had seven RBI in a 10-4 victory over Delmarva yesterday. He had an RBI double in the first inning, a three-run double in the fifth and a three-run triple in the ninth. He is batting .330.*