No rehab date has been named for the All-Star leftfielder.
A thousand apologies for the delayed post. Let’s just say my weekly minor league recap is similar to Raul Ibanez’s Reading Phillies rehab start — although later than expected, it’s gonna be worth it. Which leads me to my first point…
Why is Ibanez in Philadelphia, not Reading?
I know Philadelphia is a cool place to celebrate the Fourth of July and all, but I wish Ibanez toured the Reading Railroad Museum instead of a dugout in South Philadelphia. The National League’s starting left fielder in next week’s All-Star Game, Ibanez is missing time with a groin injury. Eligible to come off the disabled list today, Ibanez missed scheduled rehab starts with the Reading Phillies Wednesday and Thursday before returning to Philadelphia.
Rueben Amaro gave the official explanation:
“He still feels something in there,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said before the game. “What that something is, I can’t be too specific because I can’t tell you what it is. But as long as he is feeling something in there and he doesn’t feel comfortable and our medical people don’t feel comfortable having him go out to play, there is no reason to risk it.”
No one wants to rush Ibanez back, but it’s certainly disconcerting that the surprising slugger continues to hang in Philly instead with the AA Reading Phillies. Late word last night was that the minor league appearance was not scheduled but should occur this week. Let’s hope he gets some action soon. The R-Phillies start a road trip Tuesday, travelling to Akron, Ohio.
Eyre We Go
Thankfully, one rehabbing major league got the call-up this week. Lefty Scott Eyre was activated from the 15-day DL today. Although not stellar with the R-Phils, Eyre got the work in. In 1 2/3 inning in two games, Eyre gave up one run on four hits, while walking two and striking out three. Poor, poor Sergio Escalona got the hook back to the minors with Eyre’s call-up. It’s Escalona’s fifth time being sent down to the minors this year (it happened four times in June!).
Also, injured reliever Clay Condrey (strained left oblique muscle) will begin throwing some bullpen sessions. No rehab has been announced.
Leaping Lopez
As we saw Friday night, Rodrigo Lopez has some gas left in the tank. The former Oriole pitcher was called up for the emergency start following Antonio Bastardo’s injury. Although some, with sufficient evidence, wanted the Phillies to use prospect Carlos Carrasco in the start, Lopez was in fact the best candidate.
That week, the Phillies named Lopez as minor league player of the week — the second time this year he earned that distinction. With Lehigh Valley last week, Lopez pitched awesome:
2 starts: 2-0, 0.64, 1 earned run in 14 innings, 11 hits, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts. Has won his last 3 starts, allowing 2 earned runs in 21 innings. For the season, 5-4, 3.91 ERA. The 33-year-old was signed as a free agent on March 5. Missed most of last season recovering from 8/22/07 Tommy John surgery. Was the pitcher of the week for May 18-24.
Not only did the Phillies tab the hot hand at the right time, they selected a pitcher with proven big league experience. Although Lopez isn’t great, injuries — not inefficiency — chased him from the majors. Jim Salisbury described the Phillies rationale:
But Phillies officials decided that this game and this opponent – it’s always an event when the Mets come to town – called for experience. That’s why Lopez, a veteran of 187 big-league games, 161 of them starts, got the call. Oh, yeah, allowing just two earned runs in his last three starts (21 innings) also swayed the Phillies.
With the Orioles, Lopez three times secured 10 or more wins (15-9, 14-9, 15-12). For a team that was in desperate need of a win, the Lopez move made more sense than the struggling Carasco (5-7, 4.70 ERA), the gun-shy Kyle Kendrick, or the unproven Drew Carpenter. I wouldn’t mind see him stick for a while. Who knew the veteran arm they needed was in Lehigh?
Minor League Wrap-Around
Admittedly, most of this post has revolved around major leaguers on rehab assignments. I promise next week to go team-by-team for some in-depth accounts. For now, here are standings and a player to watch for each affiliate.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
AAA, International League
39-43, Fifth in North Division, 5-5 in last 10 games
Player to Watch: 1B Andy Tracy — .257 AVG, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Reading Phillies
AA, Eastern League
47-33, Second in Southern Division, 8-2 in last 10 games
Player to Watch: P Kyle Drabek — 5-0, 2.72 ERA, 30 K in 39 2/3 innings
Clearwater Threshers
Advanced-A, Florida State League
40-37 (1st Half – 32-34, fourth; 2nd Half – 8-3, third in North Division), 7-3 in last 10 games
Player to Watch: RP Michael Schwimmer — 2-1, 3.51 ERA, 8 saves in 36 innings
Lakewood BlueClaws
A, South Atlantic League
47-30, First in Northern Division (1st Half Winner), 5-5 in last 10 games
Player to Watch: 1B Jim Murphy — .290 AVG, 8 HR, 36 RBI
Williamsport CrossCutters
Short-season A, New York-Penn League
9-7, Third in Pickney Division, 6-4 in last 10 games
Player to Watch: SS Jeremy Barnes — .355 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI in 15 games
Gulf Coast League Phillies
Rookie, Gulf Coast League
3-5, Fourth in North Division
Player to Watch: 2B Matthew McConnell, .385, 2 2B, 3 RBI 1 SB in five games
—Sam Fran Scavuzzo
***Follow Me On Twitter samfrans***
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