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Phillies may call up Asher once ban is lifted

CHICAGO - Alec Asher is 24 years old, owns a career 9.31 ERA in the majors, and is serving an 80-game drug suspension. But the Phillies' interest in the righthander has not waned, and it is quite probable that Asher starts games for the team in September.

CHICAGO - Alec Asher is 24 years old, owns a career 9.31 ERA in the majors, and is serving an 80-game drug suspension. But the Phillies' interest in the righthander has not waned, and it is quite probable that Asher starts games for the team in September.

That is because of two factors. One, the Phillies need arms to survive the remainder of the season. And, two, Asher impressed team officials before the suspension with his increased use of a sinker.

"I'd like to see him," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.

Asher pitched an inning Tuesday for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, which marked the start of his permitted minor-league rehab stint. His suspension ends Sept. 4, which is the final day of the minor-league regular season. The terms of Asher's suspension prevent him from participating in minor-league postseason games.

So the only chance for him to pitch in September is either in intrasquad games in Florida or at the big-league level.

Given that the Phillies will have a need for pitchers - both in the rotation and bullpen - they are willing to grant Asher another chance. Mackanin said once Asher serves his time, his "slate's clean" in the manager's mind. Asher was suspended for an anabolic steroid called dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.

Asher posted a 2.30 ERA in eight starts, four at double-A Reading and four at triple-A Lehigh Valley, before the suspension. He had struck out 35 and walked seven in 542/3 innings.

His 9.31 ERA last season was the highest mark ever for a Phillies pitcher with at least seven starts.

"Asher got his butt handed to him last year," Mackanin said. "He goes down to triple A; he never threw the two-seam fastball. He started throwing it. Every report I've gotten was that it's nasty. He actually had success with it.

"So that's why it was disappointing what happened to him happened because it seemed to be a game-changer for him. We never got to see it. That's why I'd like to see it."

Extra bases

Andres Blanco had a pin removed from his fractured left index finger, and Mackanin said he believes the reserve infielder could return around Sept. 1. . . . The Phillies will have a scout in Los Angeles next week to watch failed football player Tim Tebow's "showcase" as he attempts a baseball career. They are not likely to sign the 29-year-old Tebow, whose agents have insisted this is not a publicity stunt.

mgelb@philly.com

@mattgelb