Unsung heroes in bullpen given an early breather

Following shorter-than-average starts in three of the first five games, the Phillies' bullpen was rewarded with the day off yesterday.

Roy Halladay will be the gift that keeps on giving every fifth day for the Phillies bullpen, but after just six games, the remuneration was well earned. In 17 innings, the reconfigured 'pen has performed to a 1.59 ERA and 15/5 K/BB, including encouraging signs from rookies David Herndon and Antonio Bastardo. Observationally, middle relievers Danys Baez, Jose Contreras and Chad Durbin have shown a lot of life on their pitches, while Ryan Madson has taken successful baby steps in assuming a closer role that’s starting to look like it will be his to lose.

Notes: Staying with the bullpen theme, Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle reports the bullpen continues to be a source of concern in Double-A. B.J. Rosenberg lost a 2-0 lead in the seventh Sunday, giving the Phillies their second blown save in three days. Overall, Reading’s relievers have allowed 11 runs in 14 innings, including six homers. ... In Allentown, infielder Wilson Valdez has carried his strong spring into the season with a 9-for-19 so far and multi-hit games in each of the first four games, reports Jeff Schuler for the Morning Call. If Juan Castro continues to sit around and collect dust, the Phils would be wise to swap in Valdez at some point; to my eyes, he already looks like a more dynamic option than Castro. ... Davey Lopes has rejoined the Phillies after missing the first six games following the death of his brother. ... Game chat coming up shortly.

Update: Rosenberg has been placed on the 15-day DL with a right lat strain.

Comments

[control13]

Condolences to Davey. I was wondering where he was. I was like "did Lopes retire or something?". I think it's pretty important how much he has helped guys like Jimmy, vic, and Werth with the running game starting in '07.

[donc]

I haven't gotten to see much so far due to a busy schedule. Ive been told by my father that most of the pen has looked quite good, he especially has been impressed with Herndon. He said that Madson looked terrified on Saturday night though. Does anybody second that. He also said that Baez stuff looks quite good.

[Dan in Philly]

Not possible! Angelo on WIP said this morning that Manuel's statement that he wanted to give the bullpen a rest yesterday was the most ridiculous in the history of sports! And you would have me believe it was a good thing? Who has more credibility in this town, you or Angelo?

[bay_area_phan]

Since we're talking bullpen . . . reposted from the end of last thread:

From Delaware Online: "[Dubee] then made the point that closers don’t have good spring results because the adrenaline isn’t pumping."

Oh please. That sounds like the kind of explanation that MVPTommy would provide. Lidge has gotten lit up by Single A hitters 5 times in a row, and it's all because his adrenaline wasn't pumping? Was his adrenaline pumping when he went 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA, a 1.81 WHIP, a .301 BAA, and 11 blown saves last year?

If any other Single A pitcher had these kind of results, the Phillies would already have demoted him to the GCL to pitch against 18-year olds. Lidge pitches this way & he not only earns a promotion back to the majors, but immediately assumes the most important role in the bullpen. No doubt, he's going to be right back in the closer's role as soon as he manages to throw a scoreless inning against Single A competition. Assuming that ever happens, which is about 50-50.

[GBrettfan]

I'd like the swap of Castro for Valdez. Is that something they would do? And would Valdez see any playing time? Charlie, IMO, really needs to utilize the bench often enough to keep them in practice. I know that's a tough decision made tougher if you're unsure the BP will hold a lead, but as a former PH'er himself, he knows the importance of regular ABs. -- I know, it's early, but does anyone really think the bench will be used later on either?

[bay_area_phan]

donc: I second what your father said about Herndon and Baez, but I did not detect any DITHL look on Madson. It wasn't his best performance, but it was hardly a disaster.

[Bubba]

"Not possible! Angelo on WIP said this morning that Manuel's statement that he wanted to give the bullpen a rest yesterday was the most ridiculous in the history of sports! And you would have me believe it was a good thing? Who has more credibility in this town, you or Angelo?"

Wow- talk about WIP making somethig out of nothing just to stir the pot!

Considering that Doc had a managible pitch count, wants the complete game, had a short outing(for him) his last time, and has an extra day off before his next start... Charlie's decision was stupid?

Even for dumb-it-down radio that's hard to believe.

[donc]

BAP: Thanks. The old man's about to turn 80 and has forgotten more about the game than just about anyone knows, so I always trust his scouting reports. Nice to know others concur. As for Madson, well it is easy to get a little overly negative after all of his 9th inning struggles. If he could fire the ball like he was in September and October of 08, he really would be a top closer candidate. Unfortunately we havent seen that.

[donc]

I thought MVP was the only BLer that listened to WIP.

[Meyer]

DITHL has gone mainstream. One needs to have a keen, discerning eye to detect the subtleties of a DITHL disguise. It comes off as a BITHL look of a bulldog ready to flee.

[EastFallowfield]

.

[joe l]

Aside from Polly's blunder the other day, I wonder if the heads up running on the basepads was a bit of a nod to Lopes. He's coached them well and they held down the fort until he made it back. Just a thought.

[Chris]

I really dislike the way the DC TV guys say "we" and "our club." I'm fine with broadcasters supporting their team, but using the first person seems unprofessional.

[philllygal]

Why is Jimmy Rollins not in the lineup?

[jr]

Listen to those DC guys 5 minutes and it is "ALMOST" enough to make you appreciate the Phils tv guys.Did Castro just match Brunlett's entire last year output today?