So today's notebook, courtesy of hard-working Martin Frank (muchas gracias, Martin), is chock full of news, starting with the likelihood that Jimmy Rollins won't return to the starting lineup until -- gulp!-- Saturday, at the earliest. Rollins' sprained left ankle continues to hamper him (apparently, he has taken a cue from Terrell Owens and started using a hyperbaric chamber to speed the healing process), and now comes word that Rollins will leave the team tonight to attend his uncle's funeral Friday in Oakland. So, Rollins will miss the big Friday night Cole Hamels-Johan Santana showdown at The Bank (full preview of that later today). But he's expected to take a red-eye back to Philly and could be available to play Saturday. More likely, though, I think Rollins will be out until at least Sunday. Did you see him hobble to first base after his pinch-hit single last night?
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Two numbers that should be encouraging to the Phillies:10 -- Groundouts recorded last night by Kyle Kendrick. That's more like it. When Kendrick is at his best, as he was for most of last season, he uses his sinker to get groundouts. He isn't a strikeout pitcher. Never has been, never will be, regardless of how hard he tries. If only ex-Phillie Michael Bourn hadn't hit that game-winning solo homer, Kendrick may have another win.
9 -- Quality starts in 15 games for Phillies starters (three apiece for Hamels and Adam Eaton, one apiece for Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Kendrick).
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Martin also brings us these words from assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. about veteran lefty reliever Steve Kline, who signed a minor-league contract last week and is pitching at Class AAA Lehigh Valley: "He's an inventory guy. We have no plans to bring him to the big leagues right now. I think he has [lost velocity]. He probably has to be a little craftier. If he was as effective as he was in the past, he probably wouldn't be where he is right now."***
On my way to the Bank for a 1:05 first pitch in the series finale with Houston. We'll bring you lineups and pregame/in-game updates, and check back in a few hours for my Week 3 audiocast with Camden Courier-Post beat writer Mike Radano. We'll be talking Hamels-Santana, Phillies-Mets and much more.
1 comment:
So Rollins is taking a cue from TO? Will we be seeing him do push-ups on his drive way soon? Come on Jimmy, get another role model. Someone with credibility like Jose Canseco or Sammy Sosa at the very least.
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