Receiving a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon, the Phillies will take a conservative approach with Freddy Garcia's shoulder injury and rest him for an unspecified amount of time, according to a team news release.
Phillies Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. issued a statement yesterday saying Garcia will be shut down for several weeks, but will begin a tossing program at some point. Doctors agree there is some damage to the shoulder, but "it’s more a product of being a starting pitcher who has logged as many innings as Freddy has over the last several seasons." "At this point, there is no time frame for when Garcia will be pitching competitively at the major league level for the Phillies," Amaro said.
Outman to be promoted to Double-A Reading: Left-hander Josh Outman will be called up from Clearwater and start Saturday’s game at Trenton, according to sources cited by the Reading Eagle. Outman, 22, is 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 games. The Reading rotation was left short with Kyle Kendrick being called up to Philadelphia.
Beerleaguer power rankings
Time for an update on the players making the biggest impact for the home team.
1: Cole Hamels (Leads the league in wins (9) and strikeouts (104). Averaging 10 strikeouts a game. First true Phillies ace since Schilling makes them a favorite to win every game he starts. Edges Utley because of his ability to halt losing streaks and the separation of quality between him and the rest of the rotation.)
2: Chase Utley (53 RBIs is second in the league. 27 doubles ranks first. Better OBP than Ryan Howard. A consistent force – has only gone hitless in consecutive games once all season. Hits lefties and righties, runs the bases intelligently, hits for power and collects timely hits. And he's been fielding great.)
3: Aaron Rowand (Phillies center fielder on pace to match or exceed his 2004 production. He’s cut down on his Ks considerably (37) and added walks (22). Is likely to post a career high in runs. Like Utley, has not fallen into prolonged slumps despite moving around the lineup. Tied with Utley for team lead in Win Shares with 11.)
4: Ryan Howard (Take away April and he’s been a solid, but not MVP-quality, producer. Still a major difference maker in the Phillies’ lineup. Most reliable source of power and on-base. Has taken a step back against left-handers, but pitchers haven’t exactly made it easy on him.)
5: Jimmy Rollins (Struggled in May but having a better June. Difference between the best five shortstops and the rest of NL – Reyes, Hardy, Ramirez, Renteria, Rollins – represents huge drop in talent. Phillies are lucky to have his steady glove and production.)
The rest: 6. Jamie Moyer; 7. Jon Lieber; 8. Shane Victorino & Pat Burrell (Tie); 9. Adam Eaton; 10. Antonio Alfonseca & Greg Dobbs (Tie).
Moyer 6th?
Not to let that last start paint the full picture but I would put Lieber & Eaton before Jamie.
I guess its the confidence factor.
With Lieber & Eaton you dont know who is gonna show that particular day but with Jamie you know his 40 mph fastballs are gonna show up at some point and that scares the hell out of me everytime.
In my opinion his main role on this team is to mentor Cole Hamels which I beleive he has been doing very well, however if this is a measure of talent and on field value I wouldnt rank him top 10.
JustMY2cents ~ Ciao!
Posted by: Jake in NYC | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:01 AM
not to put the cart before the horse, but Utley has a real shot at the MVP this year if the Phils make the playoffs. one of Prince Fielder or Reyes is probably the frontrunner at this point, but Utley should be right in the thick of it.
Posted by: ae | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:10 AM
How great is *Outman* for a baseball player's last name?
Excellent post as usual, Jason. Here's to hoping the Tigers don't come in and pummel this almost-first place team.
Posted by: JZ | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Great pitchers name, not a name you want leaking-off.
I'd say if Prince keeps hitting the ball like this for the season, it would be real hard for Chase to catch him.
Posted by: yt | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Great post, JW.
I'm obviously not holding my breath, but how terrific would it be if a health(ier) Garcia re-joined the rotation in late August/early September?
Speaking of injured pitchers, any word on Myers' planned bullpen session?
Posted by: Bridoc10 | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Jason - nice work.
While everyone has been soaking up the Phillies run up the standings has anyone noticed how bad Burrell is really hitting.
The month of June his BA is .162 (he batted .179 in May) - he is 2 for 16 since the HR off Wagner and his average has dropped from .228 to .219 from that time.
Granted he is getting on base with some walks and OPS is more critical than BA but for a month and half to be hitting .173 is pretty pathetic.
He has more walks (29) than hits (20) since May 1st in 115 AB which is acceptable but with his Kingman-like speed less appealing.
As much as I would like Burrell to be what we all think he is capable of being he will continue to be the poster child for PHILLIES BASEBALL and best described by one word - tantalize.
TANTALIZE: To excite (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach (A.K.A. playoff baseball)
Posted by: JB | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:48 AM
I predicted Utley would win 2007 NL MVP before the season started and agree he, Reyes, and Fielder are the top candidates right now. Ultey is consistent and his consistency is going to lead to a huge year, especially with Howard behind him again.
Hamels is awesome, and he'll probably only get better. His 16 homeruns surrendered are a concern, but most are solo shots.
We need the month of April/early May Grand Pappy Moyer to come back.
Burrell needs to start hitting some and pull that average up around .250.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Caught this on Fark.com, but figured I'd spread the news. Check out Jose Mesa's biography on MLB.com.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=118986
Born: May 1967
First two children:
Daughter Yamela, Jan. 1974
Son Ralph, June 1979
Is Troy Perceival still available?
Posted by: Jason | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Barring a meltdown, I have a feeling voters are itching to give MVP to a player of Reyes' mold rather than Fielder. Reyes is most deserving at this point and has the NY market on his side.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Is it possible to father children @ age 7?
No wait...shoddy math! AT AGE 6!?!?!?
So it's confirmed - Jose Mesa is 137 years old.
Posted by: Bridoc10 | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:26 PM
By the way, the Padres just called up a AAA third baseman named Chase Headley.
Posted by: timr | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Phils signed another indy league lefty pitcher. Luis Villarreal of the American Association's St. Paul Saints. He is a 27 year old lefty who's seen some time this year in AA and AAA in the Brewer's organization.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3487577
Posted by: Billy Mac | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:55 PM
timr: Remember the name. The kid is a player. May be a bit early to have him up here, but he'll be an everyday player for years once he's up.
Posted by: clout | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:13 PM
so is this the 3rd or 4th time someone's posted the Mesa birthdate thing? not trying to be a jerk, but come on folks.
Jason, I agree Fielder will probably suffer from Howard Fatigue (not to mention the largely immobile sluggers who won it previously) if he keeps up his excellent numbers. if the Mets win the NL East, I think Reyes wins easily.
Posted by: ae | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Vic and PtB tied? I'll give you 2 PtB's for your Vic, and my team of Vic and any guy in AA beats your team of 2 PtB's 9 times out of 10.
Posted by: curt | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Heck with Percival, can Ralph Mesa pitch?
Posted by: Verdeforce | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:17 PM
clout: I think its obvious then that the Phils should acquire Chase Headley in the offseason.
Posted by: timr | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Thanks for the Mesa post. I had not seen it yet. I laughed my ass off. Typical Phils scrap heep bullpen move. This year it just happened a little sooner. At least they have plenty of expierence.
Posted by: don | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:29 PM
timr: Not a bad idea and it could work since the Pads have Kouzmanoff at 3B already. Headly has just average range at 3B and he projects no more than 15-20 HR but he's got tremendous K/BB ratios and good doubles power. His OPS last season in A ball was .823 and so far this season in AA it's 1.081. Maybe we can get him for Germano. Ooops!
Posted by: clout | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Yesterday, Howard Eskin including "left-hander" Justin Germano on a short list with Jake Peavy and Chris Young as the main reasons why the Padres will be unstoppable in the playoffs. He had a vague recollection Germano was once Phillies property, acquired in a deal for "Raul" Cormier, as he likes to call him.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Alright we should pick up Chase Headley for 3B, now we have to find someone named Chase for Catcher and Left Field. Think we can find 6 Chases for the BP?
Posted by: ZT | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Burrell tied with Victorino? Ahead of Alfonseca? Am I missing something or he still batting .230?
Yes, I know he walks, but when he walks and then Wes Helms comes up, then that doesn't help anybody. Thank God Manuel woke up and realized he doesn't have to play Helms every day.
Posted by: loctastic | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 02:01 PM
Yes, I suspect there is memo somewhere dated 4/21 that said; "Don't play Helms more then twice a week, and move Rowand to the 5 spot in the order."
It sliped under the couch in Cholly's office before he Lopes could read it too him and was found by the cleaning crew in early June.
That cleaning crew member may well be the team MVP.
Unfortuneately it was picked up with a scouting report for Jose Mesa dated 4/1/97.
Posted by: yt | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Jason, I love the power rankings. Perhaps you could do it for BL posters as well! (wouldn't that be a hoot...no one would contest them, of course)
If you're Garcia, why not just have the surgery. Does he actually have a conscience about robbing his interim team blind? His comments the other day didn't seem to indicate it. What's the best case scenario then, he comes back for four starts in September and pitches 20-22 innings and goes 1-1? I'd like to think he can still make some kind of difference, but the odds seem strongly against it. Just leave town, and we can all try to forget you ever happened.
It would seem a matter of time before Kendrick's inexperience shows, but no thanks on Traschel. Guys like that aren't worth the most middling single-A prospects, not even in a pennant race. Keep signing those indie-leaguers and hope one of 'em can keep his ERA under 5 in the bigs.
Posted by: RSB | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Well, I have hope that Garcia can come back for Sept. Just for one reason really.
IF we DO make the playoffs, the preseason idea of a 3 man rotaion was Myers, Hamels and Garcia.
If the playoffs started now your talking Hamels, then the hottest 2 between Lieber, Moyer and Eaton.
This is not a recipe for a long run. We can really use that guy back and actually healthy this time.
Posted by: yt | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 03:25 PM
J Weitzel, I heard Eskin at that moment (since WFAN was temporarily out of range). He's an idiot when it comes to baseball. He mentions lefty Germano (who's a righty) and doesn't mention some other guy on there staff named, uh um, I think it's Maddux, not to mention David Wells. Eskin is a legend in his own mind.
Posted by: sam dracula | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 03:51 PM