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Kendrick takes bullpen job in stride

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Kyle Kendrick got on the bus for his final Grapefruit League start at Osceola County Stadium against the Astros fully expecting to pitch five or six innings.

Kyle Kendrick will start the season in the bullpen. (David Swanson/Staff Photographer)
Kyle Kendrick will start the season in the bullpen. (David Swanson/Staff Photographer)Read more

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Kyle Kendrick got on the bus for his final Grapefruit League start at Osceola County Stadium against the Astros fully expecting to pitch five or six innings.

When he walked into the Phillies' dugout after allowing one run over the first two innings, pitching coach Rich Dubee came up to Kendrick and told him he was done for the day. Kendrick knew right away.

Something's up.

Dubee sat the 25-year-old righthander down and explained the Phillies had made a decision: Jamie Moyer will be the fifth starter. But, Dubee told Kendrick, you've made the team as a reliever.

"We think it's the right way to go," Dubee said. "Jamie proved that he's healthy. That was the biggest question coming into spring training, how he'd come back from the surgeries. He's throwing the ball well. He's functioning well. And again, this guy has a tremendous track record of being a winning pitcher."

The 47-year-old Moyer will regain the spot in the Phillies' rotation that he lost in August to Pedro Martinez. Then, in the off-season, Moyer had three surgeries and spent time in the hospital for a blood infection.

When he makes his first start in 2010, he will join Satchel Paige, Phil Niekro, and former Philadelphia A Jack Quinn as the only pitchers 47 and older to start a major-league game.

Based on Moyer's track record, Dubee said, Kendrick should be pleased with his spring even though he's headed to the bullpen.

"He won a job," Dubee said. "He didn't lose the starting job. In my mind, it was going to be a tough thing to do if Jamie was healthy to win that job from Jamie Moyer. Kyle won a job on our roster."

Kendrick said that was his goal in the beginning of the spring. He finished with stellar Grapefruit League numbers, posting a 1.66 ERA in 212/3 innings.

But Moyer was just as good, if not better. In two Grapefruit League starts, he allowed a total of one run over 112/3 innings. In his last outing, he held the Yankees to one hit in 62/3 innings.

That, likely, was the icing on the cake.

Still, Kendrick goes north with the Phillies a changed pitcher. He said he learned more about himself this spring than ever before. Now he has a workout routine and can better prepare himself to be focused when on the mound.

"I just wanted to come in and have a good spring and build off of last year," Kendrick said. "Just get some good things rolling into the season. I felt like I did that."

Kendrick said the transition to the bullpen won't be an issue. He started all of last season while in triple A before returning to the Phillies as a September call-up. He pitched seven games in relief.

Given the fact that Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero will begin the season on the disabled list and the way Jose Contreras and Antonio Bastardo have struggled this spring, Kendrick's role in the bullpen could be significant. That was a factor in the decision, manager Charlie Manuel said.

Moyer isn't able to bounce back as quickly as Kendrick can after a relief outing.

"Kyle can offer a lot of things if he's throwing the ball the way he's capable," Dubee said. "He can pitch in the middle. He can give us distance. He's a ground-ball thrower when he's right."

Both Kendrick and Manuel cited the example of J.A. Happ, who lost the fifth starter's job in spring training like Kendrick but went to the bullpen. Happ ended up starting 23 games and was one of the Phillies' most reliable pitchers.

Kendrick said the routine and preparation he learned this spring won't have to change much when he comes out of the bullpen.

"I love starting," Kendrick said. "I think I can be a good starter. But if it's in the pen, I'll go from there and help us win."