Posted on Wed, Aug. 6, 2008
YES, FREDDY GARCIA held his first public workout since undergoing shoulder surgery, and, yes, the Phillies had a scout in Florida to watch him throw. But that doesn't mean the veteran righthander, who made 11 starts last season before going on the disabled list, will return to town.
"We're just making sure we see the guy pitch," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
If nothing else, it makes for an intriguing possibility. After all, the Phillies didn't get much out of Garcia before he injured his shoulder and had season-ending surgery. To add insult to injury, the man whom they traded to the White Sox, former top prospect Gavin Floyd, is now 11-6 with a 3.43 ERA for Chicago.
Garcia's agent, New York-based Peter Greenberg, said his client would be open to returning to the Phillies. But the Phillies don't seem to have major interest at this point. Minor league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller watched Garcia throw yesterday at the University of Miami, along with scouts from a number of other major league teams. Amaro said he hadn't yet received a report on Garcia. Greenberg said Garcia threw all of his pitches - fastball, changeup, slider, curveball - and was happy with his velocity. Though Garcia is less than a year removed from surgery - Dr. James Andrews operated in late August - he is convinced he can help a major league team this season.
"I think there's a chance [he signs with the Phillies]," Greenberg said. "One of Freddy's big criteria is [playing on a] winning team that has a chance to play into October."
Full of Eyre?
Here's a much more likely candidate to join the Phillies' roster: lefthanded reliever Scott Eyre, designated for assignment by the Cubs yesterday. Amaro said the Phillies have some interest in adding the 36-year-old, who is 2-0 with a 7.15 ERA in 19 appearances this season.
Eyre spent two solid seasons with the Cubs before struggling this year. He visited the disabled list twice this season and was hit hard in each of his last three outings. Eyre cleared waivers yesterday at noon, meaning the Cubs now have 7 days to trade him.
The Phillies could certainly use some help in their bullpen. With Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez on the disabled list, even more of a burden has been placed on relievers such as Chad Durbin, who pitched in five of the team's previous six games before Monday's off day. *
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