Kendrick promoted from Reading, will start tomorrow

And the answer is . . . Kyle Kendrick.

The 22-year-old righthander will be promoted from Double A Reading and make his major league debut against the White Sox tomorrow afternoon, replacing Freddy Garcia ( right shoulder) in the rotation.

It's the second time in recent weeks that the team, in need of a pitcher, bypassed Triple A Ottawa and went directly to Reading. When closer Brett Myers went on the disabled list on May 25, they brought up lefthander Mike Zagurski. They also signed veteran righthander Jose Mesa over the weekend after he was released by the Tigers.

"I like this kid," manager Charlie Manuel said. "I've seen him pitch in the minors. He has a fastball in the low 90s. We liked the success he's had and his stuff."

Kendrick is only 4-7 for the R-Phils, but has a 3.21 earned run average in 12 starts. He's allowed 82 hits in 81 1/3 innings, with 18 walks and 50 strikeouts.

Minor league director Steve Noworyta indicated Kendrick has pitched better than his won-lost record indicates.

"He's just been the victim of some errors. And [Reading] has a pretty good hitting club, but, for some reason, they don't seem to score when he's pitching," he said. "His secondary pitches, his slider and changeup, are starting to come along. His last few starts he's been able to keep his slider down. If he can do that, I think everybody will like what they see."

Kendrick had a reputation for immaturity early in his career. But last year at the All-Star break for the Class A Florida State League, instead of taking time off, he stayed in Clearwater and worked out.

"That was a big turnaround for him," Noworyta said.

A roster move must be made before Kendrick's start tomorrow.

Before last night's game, Charlie Manuel was again asked about losing two of three to the last-place Kansas City Royals after sweeping the first-place Mets. And, again, he seemed to suggest that critics should take a more analytical look at the roster.

Before last night's game, Charlie Manuel was again asked about losing two of three to the last-place Kansas City Royals after sweeping the first-place Mets. And, again, he seemed to suggest that critics should take a more analytical look at the roster.

"Since the first of the year, I've been talking about consistency," he said. "When I say consistency, I mean offense, defense and also pitching. It's hard to run off a five- or a six- or a seven-game winning streak, because we've been inconsistent in some departments.

"It's kind of how our team is made up. If you have some holes, until you fill them, how are you going to get any better?"

Brett Myers (right shoulder strain) reported some improvement after throwing in the outfield with athletic trainer Scott Sheridan yesterday afternoon.

Brett Myers (right shoulder strain) reported some improvement after throwing in the outfield with athletic trainer Scott Sheridan yesterday afternoon.

"The past couple days, I've been at a standstill, maybe 50 to 60 percent," he said. "Today, it was about 70 percent."

Myers said he expects to throw off a mound today - not the full 60 feet, 6 inches, but enough to reaccustom himself to throwing downhill - and that he remains on schedule to be activated Monday.

The Phillies went 5-13 in interleague play last season and are 4-3 this season.

The Phillies went 5-13 in interleague play last season and are 4-3 this season.

"Last year, we had the Red Sox and the Yankees, and those are good teams," Charlie Manuel said. "This year, we've got the White Sox, Detroit and Cleveland. Those are good teams, too. We've got to be able to compete with them.

"We can't have [an interleague] record like we did last year."

Second baseman Chase Utley continues to lead all National League second basemen in the latest All-Star balloting results, which were released yesterday. He has 630,007 votes, compared with 458,533 for Jeff Kent, of the Dodgers, who is in second place. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is fourth, behind Jose Reyes, of the Mets, J.J. Hardy, of the Brewers, and Rafael Furcal, of the Dodgers . . . Rod Barajas started at catcher last night for the third time in the last four games. Carlos Ruiz has a sore left wrist after being hit by a bat during the Mets series. *

Second baseman Chase Utley continues to lead all National League second basemen in the latest All-Star balloting results, which were released yesterday. He has 630,007 votes, compared with 458,533 for Jeff Kent, of the Dodgers, who is in second place. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is fourth, behind Jose Reyes, of the Mets, J.J. Hardy, of the Brewers, and Rafael Furcal, of the Dodgers . . . Rod Barajas started at catcher last night for the third time in the last four games. Carlos Ruiz has a sore left wrist after being hit by a bat during the Mets series. *