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Phillies Notes: Biddle returns to the mound in Gulf Coast League

Jesse Biddle remains on double-A Reading's temporary inactive list, but the Phillies' 2010 first-round pick out of Germantown Friends School returned to the mound Saturday in Tampa, Fla.

Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)Read more

Jesse Biddle remains on double-A Reading's temporary inactive list, but the Phillies' 2010 first-round pick out of Germantown Friends School returned to the mound Saturday in Tampa, Fla.

Pitching for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, Biddle covered two innings and faced eight batters in his team's 4-2 win over the GCL Yankees squad. He allowed one hit - a home run to Drew Bridges - walked one batter, and struck out three.

"It was encouraging that he was back out there throwing," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development.

It was the first time Biddle pitched in a game since a June 23 outing against the Binghamton Mets when he allowed 10 runs on eight hits and three walks in three innings. Two days later, he was placed on the temporary inactive list and sent to Clearwater, where the Phillies wanted him to work mostly on clearing his mind of the negative thoughts that he admitted to having.

Biddle, 22, told the Reading Eagle at the time: "I'm miserable out there. I'm very unhappy, and I don't know why."

Since going to Clearwater, he has spent time talking to Roy Halladay, who had a similar mental meltdown early in his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. Biddle has not spoken to reporters since being sent to Clearwater, but the Phillies viewed Saturday as a step in the right direction.

The next step for Biddle, according to Jordan, will likely be another outing in the Gulf Coast League.

"We're not in any big hurry," Jordan said. "We'll see how he is [Sunday], and if everything is going well, we'll get him back out there."

Jordan said the Phillies believe the concussion Biddle suffered after being hit by a large piece of hail on May 22 could have contributed to his problems on the mound. Biddle was 0-5 with a 9.82 ERA after that incident, which left his overall ERA at 5.03 in 15 starts this season.

"It may have helped manifest some of the stuff," Jordan said. "If it was part of it, it probably was a small part. I'm just guessing, but the doctors who examined him probably thought it played a part. But I think we've got him back in a pretty good place now. Where he's at is very encouraging."

Sizzling Sizemore

Grady Sizemore was back in the starting lineup Saturday night, marking the 11th time in 12 games that has happened since he joined the Phillies. He had at least one hit in eight of his first 10 starts and was batting .341 with four doubles and six runs scored.

"He's glad to be back in the big leagues and showing what he can do," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He's got a lot of things driving him, and it's really impressive to see him hang in there against some tough lefthanded pitchers. He's having quality at-bats, driving it the other way. He's a professional hitter."