Phillies Notes | A Reading fill-in for Garcia

Desperate times have arrived for the Phillies.

The club announced yesterday that Kyle Kendrick, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound righthander, will be promoted from double-A Reading to take the spot of injured righthander Freddy Garcia and will pitch tomorrow against the Chicago White Sox.

The report on Garcia, released during last night's 3-0 win over the Sox, was ominous: An MRI exam revealed some fraying of the rotator cuff, the team announced.

Garcia, who is on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder, will get a second opinion, but there are concerns that he could be out for a long time, perhaps the rest of the season.

The doctor "said it's not really dramatic. It's not a big deal," Garcia said. "I have to take my time - 10 days, two weeks, no throwing. I'll do what I have to do. I'll get treatment; I've got to take time. I don't want to pitch if I'm hurt. That's not good for the team and it's not good for my career."

Garcia said he does not need surgery at this point. He said the injury is different from the one he had in spring training, but he is not sure if he made it worse by continuing to pitch.

Phils manager Charlie Manuel said the severity of the injury depended on the degree of fraying. "It could be moderate or it could be bigger or smaller. We'll see," he said.

"He had pain last year, but Freddy has a big heart and tries to pitch over these things," pitching coach Rich Dubee said.

The Phils will make a move before tomorrow's game to make room for Kendrick, the club's seventh-round selection in the 2003 draft.

Kendrick, 22, was 4-7 with a 3.21 ERA at Reading. In 811/3 innings, he allowed 82 hits while striking out 50 and walking 18. He is coming off a complete-game, 8-1 win over Harrisburg on Wednesday.

Manuel said he would "play it by ear and see how he does" before determining whether Kendrick will remain in the rotation.

"I like this kid. I've seen him in the minors and he has a good breaking ball and change-up and throws in the low 90s," said Manuel, adding he hopes to get five or six innings from Kendrick tomorrow. ". . . He's a prospect. A good prospect."

Kendrick will face a White Sox lineup that includes former Phillie Jim Thome, who said he was told he will make his only start of the three-game series tomorrow.

Catcher

Carlos Ruiz

is bothered by a sore left wrist, which was struck by a bat on the recent road trip. "He can play if he has to," Manuel said.

Rod Barajas

was last night's starting catcher. . . . Manuel reiterated that, even though the Phils need a starter,

Brett Myers

will remain in the bullpen when he comes off the disabled list. . . . Entering last night, Phils starters were 23-23 with a 4.84 ERA, while their relievers were 9-8 with a 4.62 ERA.

- Sam Carchidi