The bullpen picture became crystal clear this morning as left-hander Mike Zagurski and Scott Mathieson will head back to Triple-A, meaning Antonio Bastardo and David Herndon have made the final cut.
With these moves, and with Brad Lidge set to begin the season on the disabled list, the Opening Day bullpen will include Herndon, Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick, Danys Baez, Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson if the Phillies carry 12 pitchers, as expected. The 'pen has been a bright spot for the Phils this spring, Zagurski and Mathieson included; Zagurski struck out 12 in 8 1-3 innings, while Mathieson struck out 9 in 9 innings, but also walked six. As it stands, the Phillies opted for the most experienced and familiar group, with Herndon and Bastardo set to break camp and head north for a second-consecutive season. It also suggests that Kendrick will be fully repurposed into a relief role instead of staying stretched out as a starter in Triple-A. Beerleaguer: If you swap Lidge for Herndon, this is the bullpen most expected. Even without Lidge, the 'pen could still be a strength and has depth in Zagurski, Mathieson, Mike Stutes and Dan Meyer.
Notes: Placido Polanco will be reevaluated by team physician Michael Ciccotti at 11 a.m. today, according to a Morning Call report. ... Some under-the-radar injuries: Right-hander Brian Schlitter is out with right elbow problems. Infielder Brian Bocock has been out with a wrist injury. Both are scheduled for MRIs (they may have already had them?) ... The Phils split up today in games starting at 1:05. Kendrick starts against the Blue Jays in a game airing on WPHL-17, while The Phils split up today in games starting at 1:05. Kendrick starts against the Blue Jays in a game airing on WPHL-17, while left-hander Ryan Feierabend starts off against the Tigers.
Here's hoping that Kendrick gets as much playing time as Roger Dorn in "Major League 2".
Posted by: Scotch Man | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 09:52 AM
Similar situation as last year. Last season's opening day pen: Ryan Madson, Danys Baez, Chad Durbin, Jose Contreras, Antonio Bastardo, David Herndon, Andrew Carpenter. Lidge received a cortisone shot in his elbow and started on the DL, as did Romero and Blanton. Happ, Kendrick, Moyer were in the rotation. Happ went down mid-April, Romero replaced him on roster.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Talk about burying the lede. Isn't Polanco being reevaluated the real story here?
Posted by: Jack | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Personally, I'd keep Mathieson over Herndon, but that's only because as a fan I have irrational expectations about prospects. Still, I'm not sure that Herrndon has shown much at a major league level. (And isn't Mathieson older?)
At least we have Baez.
Posted by: Andy | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:51 AM
I would have kept Mathieson too. He has pitched pretty well in ST & he can strike people out. Can he succeed at the major league level? I don't know but it seems about time we find out. It's not like David Herndon is some sort of world beater.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:58 AM
FWIW, I would have also kept Mathieson over Herndon. I think April would have been a good low-pressure chance to see if he can hack it.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:06 AM
More breath has been wasted on Mathieson than any other Phillies' prospect the past 3 years. He's a AAAA pitcher. Nothing more.
Posted by: mike77phillies | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:30 AM
I just came across a surprising fact: despite all the outstanding Dominicans that have played major league ball, only one is in the Hall of Fame. He is Juan Marichal.
Posted by: derekcarstairs | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:41 AM
The Mathieson story just has to have a happy ending, no? I have a hunch. Relievers get hurt frequently in the bigs. If Mathieson stays healthy, he'll learn to control his splitter/breaking stuff in Lehigh Valley with increasingly better results with regular work. If he bumps up his control a notch, he could become a devastating big-league 7th or 8th inning guy; heck, he closes in Lehigh Valley, no?
God forbid we lose Mad Dog – he’s not in this equation. Regardless, it’s my guess that as long as a LOOGY is not involved, Mathieson is the first call up just as soon as one of those relievers appointed to go north gets dinged.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Big news: Freddy Garcia beat out Bartolo Colon. Sawx fans every where trying not to smirk in {only slightly?} arrogant anticipation.
Posted by: Andy | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Doggone it! New damn thread.
Posted by: Andy | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Isn' Mathieson out of options? likely will be traded. Welcome Joaquim soria
Posted by: Doc Joe | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 05:12 PM