Phillies Notes: Galvis returns; Brignac designated for assignment

Infielder Freddy Galvis, whose season was delayed when he contracted MRSA in March, was recalled by the Phillies from triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies designated infielder Reid Brignac for assignment.

The fact that Galvis is a switch-hitter factored in the decision. Brignac bats lefthanded.

"With our infield being lefthanded hitters and Reid being a lefthanded bat, it was tough to get him some spots," manager Ryne Sandberg said before Saturday's game at Citizens Bank Park against the St. Louis Cardinals. "Freddy brings a little more versatility."

After rehabbing in the beginning of the season with single-A Clearwater, Galvis joined the Phillies on April 11. He batted 2 for 42 for the Phillies and was sent to Lehigh Valley, where, after two games, he suffered a broken clavicle on May 11.

He was out nearly two months, returning to Gulf Coast League action on July 9. Galvis then went to Clearwater for two games before returning to Lehigh Valley on July 19.

For the IronPigs, Galvis, 24, batted .267 with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .719 OPS. In his last 18 games he hit .306 with the three home runs and 10 RBIs and an .873 OPS.

Brignac, 28, made 15 starts for the Phillies, 14 at third base and one at second. He contributed two walk-off hits this season and batted .222 with one home run and 10 RBIs.

Galvis pinch-ran for Ryan Howard in the eighth inning and remained in the game at second base.

Mike Adams, who has been on the disabled list since June 7 with right rotator cuff inflammation, will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Lehigh Valley.

Sandberg admitted he was surprised to see Adams coming back.

"In some regards," Sandberg said. "He was in Florida doing his thing and doing his throwing program, and he progressed quickly in the last week or so."

Adams has had a disappointing two seasons with the Phillies, marked by several injuries. Signed to a two-year, $12 million contract to be a setup reliever, Adams threw just 25 innings last year and 17 this season.

Sandberg said if all goes well, Adams will be a candidate when the rosters expand in September.

Lefthander Jesse Biddle, The Inquirer's No. 5 Phillies prospect, was placed on the seven-day disabled list (strained right quadriceps) by double-A Reading, ending his season.

Biddle suffered the injury in his first start with Reading after more than a month away for a "mental break."

It's likely that Biddle could resume pitching somewhere this offseason.

Maikel Franco hit for the cycle for triple-A Lehigh Valley in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday against Syracuse.