Phillies Notebook: Phillies designate Dobbs for assignment

To make room for Chase Utley on the active roster, the Phillies yesterday designated reserve infielder/outfielder Greg Dobbs for assignment.

Assuming Dobbs and his $1.3 million salary clear waivers - any team can claim him - the Phillies can then outright him to Triple A Lehigh Valley. Dobbs can reject the assignment and become a free agent, but he would forfeit the remainder of the salary. The Phillies designated him for assignment in June and ended up sending him to the minors.

The move means that rookie outfielder Domonic Brown will remain with the Phillies for the time being, although that could change when Ryan Howard is ready to be activated from the disabled list.

Howard, who suffered a sprained ankle on Aug. 1, was eligible to be activated yesterday. Manager Charlie Manuel said there is a "slim" chance Howard returns before this weekend's series against the Nationals.

The 22-year-old Brown was recalled on July 28, when Shane Victorino was placed on the disabled list. He went 9-for-35 with a home run and 10 RBI in his first 10 games, eight of them starts. But he entered last night with just two plate appearances in the four games since Victorino returned.

"He's played enough where he can pinch-hit right now," Manuel said. "Now, if he sits for a couple weeks, it's going to be hard for him to pinch-hit. That might be one of the reasons why he needs to go back and get some games in. There's still time for that. I'm not saying we're going to do that, but there's still time for that. But if he sits for 10 days or 2 weeks, he might not be able to help us as a pinch-hitter."

- David Murphy