The Phillies received more bad news on the injury front today as Shane Victorino and Michael Bourn, valuable and similar assets to the team's offense and defense, will both go on the shelf.
Transactions: This is a major setback for the surging Phillies. According to the Inquirer, Victorino should return on time after suffering a slight tear in his right calf muscle, while Bourn could take longer with a low ankle sprain.
The injuries will force the outfield into a ragtag state of affairs. The Phillies have recalled catch-and-throw outfielder Chris Roberson and have also activated Jayson Werth from the disabled list, neither of whom really belong on a Major League roster. Werth had been out since June 29 with a wrist injury and went just 1-for-10 in his Class-A rehab assignment. Roberson, who will be used as speed and defense off the bench, was having a pedestrian season in Ottawa. These represent two significant downgrades to the bench and lineup since one of them will be forced to start. Hopefully, it's only temporary. I would expect the Phillies to pursue outside waiver alternatives immediately. Given a choice to keep one over the other, I'd keep Roberson because of his speed. I don't know what that says about Werth, but there you go.
The Phillies made another roster move today, waiving Clay "The Ultimate Tweener" Condrey outright in order to make room for Kyle Lohse.
Pitching matchup: Adam Eaton (9-6, 5.83 ERA) and Jason Marquis (7-6, 4.20 ERA). Eaton tries for his 10th win. Game time is 8:05 p.m. ET.
GOING TO THE GAME TONIGHT!!!
Of course my first game of the season is Eaton...
Posted by: mm | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Sigh......
Posted by: T-bone | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:24 PM
DEVASTATING! I was skeptical about being without Utley, even after we won four in a row. But now without our two fastest players, losing both in a SINGLE GAME, I don't know how much we can expect from this team in the next two weeks. We've got 3 more with Chicago, followed by Milwaukee, Florida, and Atlanta. The best we can expect is .500.
I will cheer for this team until the bitter end. If they were 50 games back, I'd still follow them. So I'm not jumping off the bandwagon here. But right now, with 4 injuries in 5 games, I think the playoffs is just a fantasy. I pray that I'm wrong.
Posted by: College Phan | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:27 PM
So what does the lineup look like now? This could get very ugly for Cholly. No speed, no hitting, worse defense.
Good luck, Cholly.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:32 PM
I've received word that Dobbs will play 3rd and lead off, Roberson will play right field and hit 8th, and Coste will catch. Should have full lineup soon.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Here's my lineup:
Rollins
Iguchi
Burrell
Howard
Rowand
Dobbs
Coste
Roberson
Pitcher
I guess we'll see.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:41 PM
July 31 is always a bit of a whirlwind...the Phillies have at least temporarily lost four key players in the past week, and have gained a solid infielder, a subpar pitcher, a minor-league reliever and a minor-league OF (Roberson). And yet they aren't losing games or ground. Yet?
The Mets didn't really do much, either, and have been losing players to injury. Which leaves Atlanta as the obvious front-runner the rest of way - on paper. But no one more than Phillies fans should know those two words don't mean a hell of a lot.
Two players the Phils have called up could make this hurt a lot less: Geary and Roberson. Where Roberson is concerned, he has to know this is probably his last, best chance to show somebody he can play. You have to think he'll get a few starts and hopefully he can make them count.
On Mateo: this is Gillick in full-on 'savvy' mode, picking up an out-of-favor player on the cheap. It's really a shame that there wasn't any other option anywhere but to pull this kind of desperation move. Players like Mateo should have no business in an organization with any real class, but, well. We already knew the Phillies don't exactly emphasize character. Throw him in with Myers and Jose Mesa and the legacy of Ugueth Urbina, and the Phillies' relief corps should be referred to as the 'State Pen' rather than the bullpen.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:44 PM
Even with a depleted lineup, it's very difficult to understand why Dobbs should lead off.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Nobody likes to see excuses for this team, and I know as well as anyone the bullpen wasn't adequately improved, but should the Phillies fall short now, I don't know how anyone couldn't at least point to these mounting injuries. Utley, Victorino, Bourn, Myers, Lieber, Garcia, Gordon, Madson.
That's a damn lot, not including the minor ones.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:48 PM
Looking at some of the options you almost have to wonder if Eaton shouldn't be batting 8th...
Atleast they're not using Eaton's personal catcher tonight, right?
Posted by: regalmeans | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:49 PM
is it really a surprise that these guys are headed to the DL? I saw the game last night, and they both clearly needed some time to recuperate.
I'm still pretty confident that Gillick is going to swing a trade for a better-than-Roberson outfielder tonight or tomorrow. I don't expect an impact trade, but I'm sure he'll come up with this year's Conine.
Posted by: ae | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:49 PM
I'm with you RSB - the only thing that is apparent if that is true is that Manuel will not move Burrell up in spite of his high on base percentage....
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:50 PM
@JW don't forget Howard lost for 17 games and was probably hurt to start the season.
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:50 PM
CJ - that's exactly the line-up I was thinking about. Cholly would never bat Eaton 8th, since that would be a serious diss for a guy who has just been called up.
Posted by: ajc1 | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:50 PM
They have done a commendable job considering all of the injuries - I just hope that is not an ultimate excuse to keep Manuel - unless of course they win the pennant.... then he can stay!
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Really dumbstruck by what Atlanta did. That isn't typical behavior for that team. People have to be pretty excited down there. And I think it's probably got the Mets fans up in arms moreso than us. The Mets have been looking progressively weaker all season, more or less in contrast to the Phils.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Speaking of Howard's injury. It was similar to Texiera's right? Quad injury?
Tex's numbers in the last 17 games since coming off that Quad injury):
.281/.370/.422 with 1 home run and 8 RBI.
In comparison during that same stretch since coming out of the doghouse:
In the last 17 games played:
Burrell is .449/.580/.673 2 HR and 16RBI
And Howard his first 17 games back from a similar injury?
Howard batted .316/.429/.737 with 7HR 18RBI
So while they have improved the position some... if Tex is NOT back from his injury, how much help is it really??? Eskin called him a flat out STUD yesterday. He might do some damage in the CBP... but I don't know how much he will produce in Atlanta.
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Braves trades were way out of character, but it makes sense when you consider that Smoltz, Hudson, Chipper & Cox all are getting up there.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:58 PM
tonights linup is
Dobbs
Iguchi
Rollins
Howard
Rowand
Burrell
Coste
Roberson
Eaton
As seen on Comcast
Posted by: Grumpy Gramps | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:00 PM
I wonder if Manuel has lost it. If you're going to avoid speed at the top, I'd pick the guy with the .417 OBP over the guy with the .332 OPB.
Free Burrell from the 6-hole!!!!
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Bobby Kielty was released today by the A's.
Posted by: bp | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:10 PM
"State pen" haha
Seriously though, Dobbs has got to be the 5th best choice for leadoff. At minimum, I would switch Rowand and Dobbs.
Posted by: Joe F | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Oh, I was talking about Kielty before as if he was already released. Sign him up Pat!
Posted by: Joe F | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:18 PM
why not let the gooch lead off?
Posted by: bathtubhippo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Dobbs leading off? no words.
Kielty should be in Philly tonight. that's just a no-brainer.
Posted by: ae | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:34 PM
what did mesa do to put him in the "state-pen"? Just curious...
Posted by: lekh tiztayen | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:40 PM
I woulda gone with CJ's lineup but I don't know if there's a "right" lineup at this point. Unreal to lose Vic and Bourn in the same game, and just as this team seemed to be putting it together. I can't believe we've won 9 of 10 and moved within a game of playoff position, yet I've transitioned into complete, "whatever, just hope for the best" mode.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:41 PM
I think you need to return JRoll to the 1, put Pat the Bat ahead of Howard or put Rowand there and Pat at the 5.
New look Braves - already down 1-0 to Houston....
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:56 PM
Speaking about the loss of Bourn and Victorino to the 15-day DL during his pre-game interview with Wheels moments ago, Cholly said, "We needed an outfielder, so we brought Roberson up, and we'll probably have somebody else in here tomorrow."
What do you suppose that means -- and who goes to make 25-man roster room for another outfielder? It better be Barajas.
Posted by: davthom73 | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:56 PM
on the radio, cholly just said that "they plan to add an outfielder tomorrow". I don't think that was an endorsement of werth, at all. take it for what you will.
what we need, is for the pitching to step up and carry the team.
now is when you will know if cholly can manage to get these guys giving that extra effort.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:57 PM
davthom -
vic isn't on the 15 day dl yet. there's the empty spot.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Don't worry about Dobbs leading off - Cubs & Brewers have lefties lined up from here to the horizon after tonight.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:06 PM
@RSB, I don't think there's anything you can do to excite Braves fans.
Is this the first time this year that the catcher hasn't hit 8th?
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:08 PM
On the Phillies TV feed -- which, as a rarity, is being offered on DIRECTV tonight -- they just showed a graphic which said that Werth will not be activated until tomorrow -- so perhaps Cholly was speaking of Werth by saying "another guy" -- or is a trade involving Barajas for an outfielder who can clear waivers in the works? The latter being highly unlikely, IMO. And then, would Barajas clear waivers -- with the combination of Barajas' bad performance and high salary making that possible?
Posted by: davthom73 | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Howard in a funk. Need his bat to pick up some of the casualties.
Posted by: Reed | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:19 PM
I know it's only the first inning, but I'm worried about this one. I don't see them doing much against Marquis.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Marguis sure has a lot of late downward movement on his slider -- which seems to break late over home plate -- he could be really tough tonight.
Posted by: davthom73 | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Eaton looked incredibly awkward on that bad throw.
Posted by: davthom73 | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Be careful in the State Pen there Roberson
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:23 PM
like the sound of a baloon deflating
Posted by: lekh tiztayen | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Scott Lauber of The News Journal has Werth rejoining the team tomorrow. It leads you to believe that he's the outfielder who'll be there tomorrow.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:24 PM
meanwhile, Adam Eaton grooves a 2-strike fastball
Posted by: Reed | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Is there anyone more appropriate to have on the mound than Adam Eaton as our season unravels?
The answer is no, there is not.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Well, put this one in the loss column for the Phightin' Phils. Give Howard, Rowand, etc., the rest of the night off..this team was due for a bad loss.
Posted by: attytood will | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Although if it was certain it would be Werth, I think Manuel would have said 'we're getting Werth back tomorrow', and not left it open for speculation. I get the feeling Werth is plan B.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
looks like defense will be the first thing to go...that and we have Adam Fckn Eaton pitching
Posted by: lekh tiztayen | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
howard is in a funk? that's not what his stats say....
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:27 PM
If the beginning of this game is any indication, Barajas does handle Eaton better than Coste, however I think they are trying this to see if they can get away with cutting Barajas tomorrow. I think they would be smarter sending Roberson back down - he's not a major league hitter, and the recent success has been with 3 catchers on the roster. Coste and Dobbs are your best pinch-hitters so they better both be safe, regardless of what they do.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:27 PM
biggest pet peeve in baseball...the pitcher gets an error then gives up runs and their deemed unearned...well if he friggin threw the ball the 1st chances are he could get out of the inning with no serious damage
Posted by: THe Dude | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Jeez, Will...I said I was worried, but you're flat-out giving up here because it's 2-0 in the first?
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Well stats don't say everything then, but I'd imagine they'd tell you a lot over the last few days. He's looked really uncomfortable at the plate in the Pirates series and in these two Cubs games. Like he's guessing.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:30 PM
My biggest pet peeve in baseball is pitching coaches who come out and yap for 30 seconds and the next pitch is a 3-run homer.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:30 PM
watching the season unravel? for christs sake, its THE FIRST INNING AND THEY ONLY SCORED TWO RUNS!
stop being such Drama Queens, leava that to Carson.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:31 PM
OK, it was hyperbole, and Eaton does have a history of settling down after a horrific couple of first batters -- that's what he did last week against the Nats, when he was OK until the bullpen "took over."
Not giving up, but not optimistic.
Posted by: attytood will | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:32 PM
You'd think that, RSB, but this is Charlie. He has interesting ways of saying everything.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:32 PM
joe, I am not talking a prolonged slump, but he is 3 for his last 18 with 9 strike outs. 4 strikeouts in the last 10 innings.
Posted by: Reed | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:33 PM
Howard has been going after bad pitches again.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:35 PM
don't count them out. One word Karim Garcia!
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Burrell has come to play. Now if Coste can get on we got Roberson who will likely hit a bomb.
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Great hitting there by Pat Meares, er, I mean Burrell.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:36 PM
remember, no matter what, Littlefield isn't our GM. My guess is that he hires Manuel after the season.
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Anything is possible with Chris Clutch in the lineup.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:38 PM
Unbelievable!!!
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Burrell can lead off. Did you see that speed taking off from second?
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Chris Clutch II...!
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:39 PM
That pitch looked a foot outside on the gamecast.
Posted by: Ribbies | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:40 PM
eaton is not a good bunter, but he is a base stealer with 5 career stolen bases
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:40 PM
let him swing away now with 2 strikes
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Roberson leads the team in batting.
Posted by: attytood will | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Charlie, Eaton can't bunt!
Charlie, Eaton can't bunt!
Charlie, Eaton can't bunt!
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Eaton lucky he didn't break a few fingers there.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:42 PM
I take that back, I guess he is a major league hitter.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Roberson
Posted by: Verdeforce | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:43 PM
But he's no Mitchy-poo. When he was two for two, he was hitting 2.000!
Posted by: Joe F | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Or lose a few teeth.
Roberson looked gross at the plate.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:43 PM
mehh happy to get one run back...now lets see eaton calm down a little bit
Posted by: jimbo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:44 PM
if eaton is such a great athlete like they love to say, why can't he field, bunt or pitch for that matter
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:44 PM
Gamecast seems off tonight. A lot of called strikes are showing up a foot or so off the plate.
Posted by: J.R. King | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:46 PM
what would guys radther see dobbs in at rf and helms at 3b? which is what i assumed would happen. or roberson?
Posted by: jimbo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:46 PM
jimbo, I much prefer the alignment they went with.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Jimbo -
You mean wE5 helms?
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:48 PM
I prefer this defensive alignment, but I think there could be a better lineup with these guys.
Posted by: Joe F | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Nice settle-down inning for Eaton.
Posted by: brother | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:51 PM
true on the defensive scheme for sure. nice to see eaton calm down. lets go TAD!
Posted by: jimbo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:51 PM
WE5 Helms! Joe, that's beautiful.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:53 PM
The Pirates got Matt Morris - why not us?
Posted by: Tray | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Gotta like this Iguchi fella. He's an intelligent player.
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Gooch, taking the base.
Posted by: brother | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Don't you have to assume the Pirates intend to flip Morris somewhere else?
Posted by: RSB | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Rollins has been taking lessons from 2006 Burrell.
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Gagne to BoSox?
Posted by: brother | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:57 PM
As much as we bust on Charlie, and as frustrating as he is (seriously, Dobbs leading off?), if he can get us into September still seriously in the hunt, he's gonna be in the running for NL manager of the year.
Posted by: Johnny Goodtimes | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:57 PM
morris is there to stay and mentor some of those young buc pitchers. besides we dont want morris he has given up 10 hits or more in 3 outings out of his past 6 starts...and the least he has given up was 7.
Posted by: jimbo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Good grief. Where do these random bursts of affection for ol Cholly come from? He goes 15 minutes without screwing up badly, and someone wants to nominate him for something.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:02 PM
cyrt -
he has been able to make lemonade out of lemons for most of this year.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:03 PM
there's really no market for Morris at all because he's 32, he's been mediocre this year, his K rate is getting dangerously low, and he's owed $9.5M next year plus a $1M option buyout in 2009.
I actually don't think he's all that bad, and for a contender he probably could have done a decent job as a 4/5 starter. but SF didn't want to pay any of his contract, so they just did a straight salary dump.
Posted by: ae | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:03 PM
I'd rather see Manuel get manager of the year than Pinella. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable Sweet Lou lovefest now.
Posted by: ae | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:05 PM
joe - That'd be great if he were running a roadside lemonade stand in W.V as he should be. Unfortunately he's pretending to be a ML manager.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:09 PM
Hey Curt,
Don't kill the messenger, brother. Do you really think I'm wrong? They were even talking about it last night on baseball tonight. The good feeling I'm getting is that maybe this is like 2004, when Francona kept pissing off Red Sox fans, but his strange hunches kept paying off.
Posted by: Johnny Goodtimes | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:09 PM
hitting 2000 now?
Posted by: Slocs | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:09 PM