Phillies Notes: Phillies designate Taschner for assignment
Adding pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to the roster meant the Phillies had to make two transactions yesterday.
One was routine. The team moved injured pitcher Brett Myers from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. Players on the 60-day DL don't count toward the 40-man roster.
To make room for Lopez on the 25-man active roster, the Phillies designated lefthanded reliever Jack Taschner for assignment. The Phils have 10 days to dispose of Taschner's contract. In that time, he can be traded, released, claimed by another club off waivers, or optioned to the minor leagues if he clears waivers.
Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@Phillynews.com.
Taschner was acquired from San Francisco for catcher Ronny Paulino during the final week of spring training. He made 21 appearances for the Phils and had a 5.20 ERA.
Clearly, Taschner had pitched poorly with the Phillies - he acknowledged that - and it was not surprising he was the odd man out. It was surprising, however, that the Phils didn't simply option Taschner to the minors, as was their right. They had coveted him as far back as last season. Had they optioned him, they could have kept him in the organization for depth.
There are a couple of reasons the Phillies designated Taschner for assignment. The first was a small favor to the veteran pitcher: He now has a chance to get another big-league job. The second, which the Phillies would not admit, probably was financial. If Taschner is claimed off waivers, the Phils will be off the hook for the remainder of his $835,000 salary.
"This is a class organization," Taschner said. "They've given me an opportunity to go to another team, or else I'll be back in triple A. Maybe I'll go somewhere else and find my groove."
The Phillies now have seven relievers: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Tyler Walker, Chan Ho Park, and Sergio Escalona. Clay Condrey and Scott Eyre are on the disabled list. Eyre could be activated tomorrow.
Tough stretch
Madson, so important to the Phillies' success last season, went into last night with a 10.80 ERA in his last seven appearances. In those 62/3 innings, he was tagged for 12 hits, including four home runs; seven walks; and eight earned runs.Madson always has thrived on confidence. Where does it stand now?
"It takes a little fun out of it, but I came to the park today with the right attitude, and I'll go out there with confidence that I'm going to get it done today," the righthander said. "Keep doing what you're doing, and keep trusting your stuff. There's no reason to panic. You know it's going to work."
It worked last night. He pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Reminder
The Phillies began a 10-game homestand last night that will take them to the all-star break. The break originally had been scheduled to last four days, with the team resuming play July 17 at Florida. However, a scheduling conflict with a Miami Dolphins game has forced the Sept. 21 game to July 16.So the Phils will open the second half with a four-game series instead of three against the Marlins.
Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@Phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writer Mark Narducci contributed to this article.
