February 2008
Recovering Pitchers
Kris Benson threw to hitters today for the first time. Benson was said to have looked good and felt no pain or discomfort. Benson could see game action in a few weeks if he continues to progress. He will continue to be closely monitored.
Brad Lidge was in uniform and with the team today. Lidge should be throwing sometime next week and continue his journey to return to the closers role.
Kendrick, Bats Look Good, Phils Lose
The Phillies lost to the Pirates 11-5 today. Kyle Kendrick pitched 3 strong innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits and a hit batsman. Ryan Howard hit his first Spring homerun while Pedro Feliz had 2 more hits and Chase Utley went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Top draft pick Joe Savery got knocked around for 5 runs in one inning as did prospect Josh Outman giving up 4 runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Although the score was lopsided, there were bright spots for the Phillies. Howard hitting his first homerun and Utley and Rollins getting their first hits of the Spring while Kendrick looked solid as did Lincoln Holdzcom. Joe Savery was knocked around but the Pirates are a major league team (kind of) while he is less than a year removed from college. The Phillies will play the Pirates tomorrow in Bradenton. They will have a "B" game in the morning with the regular game at 1:05pm. The game will be broadcast on MLB.com.
Moyer Ready to Keep Going
Jamie Moyer said he is not thinking about this being his last season. At 45, he is the oldest player in baseball but looked like a pitcher in his prime yesterday when he pitched 3 shut out innings in his Spring debut. Jamie said, "The way I am going to look at it is that I’m going to take this season for what it is and give it my best. If I retire at the end of the season, I retire. If I continue to play, I continue to play. To concern myself with that now would kind of get in the way of what I’m trying to do. I think I’ll know inside when the time comes. Maybe it’s next week. Maybe it’s September 15. Maybe it’s July 1. Maybe it’s 3 years. I don’t know. Hopefully it’s in 3 years. But for right now I feel pretty darn good. I’m pretty happy with where I am. One year at a time."
Jamie has noticed that he does not recover as quickly from workouts and his back and legs stiffen more easily, but he expects that and changes his workout routine accordingly. The Phillies hope Moyer can pitch another 200 inning season, keep them in games, and mentor young pitchers like Cole Hamels and todays Spring starter Kyle Kendrick.
Phillies Win Big In Grapefruit League Opener
After being rained out yesterday the Phillies played the Reds in the first Grapefruit League game. They won 8 – 1 behind a solid outing from Jamie Moyer who is enjoying his 22nd year in the big leagues. Moyer pitched 3 innings and gave up 1 hit while striking out 3 and walking none.
Greg Dobbs hit a three run homerun while Ryan Howard doubled, and Pat Burrell had a single. Pedro Feliz went 2 for 2 with an RBI in his Phillies debut while newcomer Geoff Jenkins went 1 for 3. Another newbie Eric Bruntlett went 2 for 2.
Travis Blackley also pitched 3 scoreless innings while Clay Condrey gave up the only run in a inning of work. Highly touted prospect Carlos Carrasco and Ryan Madson each posted a scoreless inning.
The Pirates come to Clearwater tomorrow for a 1:05pm game. The game will be on a webcast available on MLB.com. If you have not subscribed yet to MLB.tv, do so as it is the place to get full coverage of every team and every game.
Phillies Pick Up Middle Infielder
The Phillies claimed infielder Ray Olmedo off waivers. Olmedo is a utility player that came from the Pirates. He is 26 years old and split time between triple A and Toronto last season. He may compete with Eric Bruntlett for a bench job although Bruntlett has a huge advantage over him.
John Ennis was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster.
Myers Gets Opening Day Nod
Charlie Manual announced that Brett Myers, who finished the 2007 regular season on the mound in grand style, will start the 2008 season as the opening day pitcher. Although Manual refers to Myers and Hamels and number 1 and 1A, there are other good reasons to start Myers and announce it now. First, letting a pitcher know his schedule and when he is going to pitch allows him to get ready for that date. Preparation is huge in making a pitcher successful. Second, this allows Myers to be sure that he will be a starter this season and not be moved to the bullpen due to Brad Lidge’s injury. Finally, having Myers, Hamels, Kendrick, then Moyer separates the left handed pitchers nicely.
Overall it was smart for the Phillies to announce Myers as there opening day starter. Anyway you look at it, with Myers and Hamels at the top of the rotation, the team will be successful!
Lidge’s Surgery a Success
Brad Lidge’s surgery today was a success. They removed 15 to 18% of the meniscus in his knee leaving him about 80% in tact. He is still slated to be ready in 3 to 6 weeks and will begin playing catch in 4 or 5 days. All this being said, barring a setback Lidge will be ready on or around opening day. If he does miss time, Tom Gordon will be counted on to close.
Savery to Start Against FSU
The Phillies will open their exhibition schedule against Florida State University on Wednesday. Joe Savery, the Phillies top draft pick last year, will get the nod. It is a great experience for Savery to be on the field with the big league players and get a chance to get a feel for the big leagues.
In other news, Charlie Manual has liked what he sees in left hander Travis Blackley. "I think that he keeps the ball down good. He looks like he has good command, throws the ball on both sides of the plate." Blackley is a rule five player and will have to be offered back to San Fransisco if he does not make the team and stay on the 25 man roster.
Kris Benson threw his first curveball since 2004. He wants to bring it back into his arsenal and not rely as heavily on his cutter. Benson’s next outing will be pitching live batting practice. He is progressing nicely!
Lidge Needs Surgery, Out for 3 to 6 Weeks
Phillies Nation fears were confirmed as it was announced that Brad Lidge will need surgery again on his knee and will be out three to six weeks. Team Dr. Michael Ciccotti will perform the surgery on Monday at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia. Although recovery time is 3 to 6 weeks, that does not mean Lidge will be ready to pitch right away as he will not have had spring training. Chances are he will go to extended spring training and may not pitch until late April or early May. Lidge disagrees with this assessment and said,
"The recovery time is three to six weeks where I can actually pitch in games, so I think I can be ready." Hopefully he is right!
The Phillies need to make a trade and solidify the bullpen. The team needed to bolster the bullpen anyway so the addition of another piece here will help them in the short term and the long term. Wes Helms is the likely bargaining chip although there may not be many teams looking for his services. What the Phillies should not consider is moving Brett Myers back to the pen. He is too valuable to the starting rotation and needs to stay in one place.
Phightin’ Phils Phorum will update Lidge’s condition as more information becomes available.
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