Phillies Notebook: Phillies to shut down Kendrick for the rest of the season

KYLE KENDRICK'S uncertain offseason will begin a week earlier than expected as the Phillies have decided to shut him down for the rest of the season because of the shoulder soreness that caused him to miss a scheduled start Tuesday. Whether he returns as a member of the team next season remains to be seen.

Kendrick, who earned $4.5 million this season, is eligible for arbitration and will be in line for a significant raise; in past offseasons, similar starters have ended up with salaries in the range of $7 million to $9 million. If the Phillies decide that is too much money to pay for a No. 4 or No. 5 starter who has some questions about his shoulder and is coming off his worst season since 2010, they could decline to offer Kendrick arbitration, thereby making him a free agent. The two sides also could agree on a new deal before the arbitration process begins.

Until this week, Kendrick had never missed a scheduled start. The 182 innings he will finish with are a career high. But Kendrick has struggled since mid-June, posting a 6.04 ERA over his last 17 starts after starting the season with a 3.22 ERA in his first 13 starts.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said he does not think Kendrick's shoulder was to blame for his struggles.

"His velocity was fine, and he was able to pitch; at least, his stuff was there," Sandberg said. "As far as movement on the sinker, I thought that was a little less the second part of the season. Other than that, he was healthy to pitch. I don't think it was an issue."

Kendrick had an MRI on the shoulder Tuesday, followed by an examination for a second opinion. The Phillies have yet to announce the results of the second opinion.

Sandberg said he thinks a change in approach has been the key to Jimmy Rollins' recent resurgence. On Aug. 20, Rollins was hitting only .245 with a .302 on-base percentage and .334 slugging percentage, en route to the worst season totals of his career. Heading into last night, Rollins had hit .289/.413/.400 over his previous 26 games. That stretch included 19 walks. Rollins walked 39 times in his first 124 games of the season.

"I've noticed him getting on base. I've noticed an increase in walks. I've noticed him using the middle of the diamond, getting more of his hits up the middle and opposite field," Sandberg said. "I see a different mindset as far as having a line drive, use-the-whole-field stroke."

The Phillies activated Mike Stutes from the disabled list, where he had been recovering from a shoulder injury that shut him down in late June. Stutes was available to pitch last night. He allowed nine earned runs with seven walks and eight strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings before hitting the DL.

Blog: ph.ly/HighCheese