NEW YORK -- Hello, all. A few quick updates here from Shea ...1. Jimmy Rollins is watching batting practice with hitting coach Milt Thompson. After doing some early stretching, he determined his sprained left ankle still isn't feeling better enough for him to resume playing. So, for a second straight game, Rollins will watch from the dugout. Eric Bruntlett is back at shortstop for the series finale against the Mets. I'm sure there's much rejoicing in the Mets' clubhouse. After he was scratched from the lineup yesterday, Rollins said Mets coaches Sandy Alomar Sr. and Sandy Alomar Jr. said, "Oh, we're going to win." Guess what? They were right.
2. The Phillies have signed veteran lefty reliever Steve Kline (pictured) to a minor-league contract. Kline, 35, was designated for assignment by the Giants on March 30 and released on April 4. He's 34-39 with a 3.51 ERA in parts of 11 major-league seasons with the Indians, Expos, Cardinals, Orioles and Giants. According to a team spokesman, Kline will begin working out at the Phillies' facility in Clearwater, Fla., before reporting to Class AAA Lehigh Valley next week.
3. Within the notebook in today's paper, there's word of Ryan Madson's sore shoulder. We'll have more on that tomorrow, but Madson is available to pitch one inning, and only one inning, today.
2 comments:
Well I just saw tonight's lineup on television and I must say that I'm disappointed to see Victorino and Bruntlett in the first and second slots in the order, respectively. I understand that Vic can break out of his slump any day now, but he's just been a purely automatic out all season. I just don't trust him high up in the order right now. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong tonight, but that didn't happen when I posted a similar comment earlier in the week.
As for the Kline signing, I think it's a great move especially since it's a minor league deal. If he doesn't do well in AAA, no harm no foul. Great "small fish" move by Gillick.
Has anyone asked the Phillies infield about all the errors lately? It just seems like Rollins and Utley are either overrunning a lot of balls or just booting them. I wonder why that is.
One last thing: I can't describe how odd it is to read "Adam Eaton (0-0, 3.52)." Let's hope he continues his Flushing success tonight, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Eaton being flushed instead.
Zach: It wouldn't surprise me to see Jayson Werth in center field Saturday night when the Phillies face a lefty (Ted Lilly). And after Victorino's first-inning base running blunder, I think it's possible Werth could even start tomorrow.
Charlie Manuel talked about the defense today. So far, he isn't panicking. The mistakes seem to be physical, not mental, and we know Utley and Rollins are strong defensive players. That said, 13 errors in nine games is a trend that can't continue.
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