GaryMrMets
06-06-2004, 01:23 AM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s060404j.htm
Pitching forces Phillies to make moves
Friday, June 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
ATLANTA
With right-hander Josh Hancock scheduled to start Thursday for the Phillies, a roster move to place Hancock on the 25-man active roster was necessary. But more factors were at play in their decision on who had to go.
Because of a tired bullpen and the uncertain long-term availability of starter Randy Wolf, the Phillies chose to add Hancock as a 12th pitcher and send infielder Shawn Wooten down to Class-AAA Scranton before Thursday's game against Atlanta at Turner Field.
The Phillies kept 21-year-old right-hander Elizardo Ramirez, who was called up from Class-A Clearwater two weeks ago, to give manager Larry Bowa more options out of the bullpen.
With closer Billy Wagner still at least a week from returning from the 15-day disabled list, the bullpen has been battered in recent days compensating for his absence, having squandered late-inning leads in the last two games of their three-game sweep by the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
"The last two nights it showed up big-time - when you get guys out of their roles, it's very difficult," Bowa said.
Wooten, signed to a one-year, $575,000 contract by the Phillies last December, had only 39 at-bats in 20 games, the second-least on the team. Wooten was tabbed for demotion instead of outfielder Jason Michaels, who has just 28 at-bats, because the Phillies are hoping to get infielder Placido Polanco back from the DL as soon as Tuesday.
Wolf's health is a pressing concern as well. The left-hander threw with consistently less velocity than normal and relied heavily on his off-speed pitches during his start Wednesday - a lingering effect of the elbow tendinitis that forced him to miss a start in mid-May.
"We're monitoring Wolfie very close," Bowa said.
Wolf admitted Thursday he held back, but added, "If I thought I was going to hurt myself, I wouldn't have gone out there."
But despite a fastball that topped out in the mid-80s, Wolf enjoyed one of his best starts of the season, holding the Mets scoreless for seven innings.
"It was amazing how much more focused I was with my command," Wolf said. "If you know you can't get away with mistakes, you don't make any mistakes. I had a sense of urgency with each pitch."
Wolf said he experienced normal post-start stiffness on Thursday, but no pain. He will have his normal side day on Saturday, which should help determine whether he can make his next start on Tuesday at the Chicago White Sox.
Phillies fodder: Polanco, on the DL with a strained left quadriceps muscle since May 8, began his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday, playing five innings for Class-AA Reading. He will move to Scranton and play seven innings each of the next two nights. . . . Wagner, progressing in his rehab from a strained left groin, will throw off the mound today and again Sunday. If all goes well, he will pitch in a simulated game on Tuesday with an eye on being activated next Thursday. . . . The Phillies acquired minor-league right-hander Rob Ellis from Cleveland Thursday for a player to be named and assigned him to Scranton.
Pitching forces Phillies to make moves
Friday, June 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
ATLANTA
With right-hander Josh Hancock scheduled to start Thursday for the Phillies, a roster move to place Hancock on the 25-man active roster was necessary. But more factors were at play in their decision on who had to go.
Because of a tired bullpen and the uncertain long-term availability of starter Randy Wolf, the Phillies chose to add Hancock as a 12th pitcher and send infielder Shawn Wooten down to Class-AAA Scranton before Thursday's game against Atlanta at Turner Field.
The Phillies kept 21-year-old right-hander Elizardo Ramirez, who was called up from Class-A Clearwater two weeks ago, to give manager Larry Bowa more options out of the bullpen.
With closer Billy Wagner still at least a week from returning from the 15-day disabled list, the bullpen has been battered in recent days compensating for his absence, having squandered late-inning leads in the last two games of their three-game sweep by the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
"The last two nights it showed up big-time - when you get guys out of their roles, it's very difficult," Bowa said.
Wooten, signed to a one-year, $575,000 contract by the Phillies last December, had only 39 at-bats in 20 games, the second-least on the team. Wooten was tabbed for demotion instead of outfielder Jason Michaels, who has just 28 at-bats, because the Phillies are hoping to get infielder Placido Polanco back from the DL as soon as Tuesday.
Wolf's health is a pressing concern as well. The left-hander threw with consistently less velocity than normal and relied heavily on his off-speed pitches during his start Wednesday - a lingering effect of the elbow tendinitis that forced him to miss a start in mid-May.
"We're monitoring Wolfie very close," Bowa said.
Wolf admitted Thursday he held back, but added, "If I thought I was going to hurt myself, I wouldn't have gone out there."
But despite a fastball that topped out in the mid-80s, Wolf enjoyed one of his best starts of the season, holding the Mets scoreless for seven innings.
"It was amazing how much more focused I was with my command," Wolf said. "If you know you can't get away with mistakes, you don't make any mistakes. I had a sense of urgency with each pitch."
Wolf said he experienced normal post-start stiffness on Thursday, but no pain. He will have his normal side day on Saturday, which should help determine whether he can make his next start on Tuesday at the Chicago White Sox.
Phillies fodder: Polanco, on the DL with a strained left quadriceps muscle since May 8, began his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday, playing five innings for Class-AA Reading. He will move to Scranton and play seven innings each of the next two nights. . . . Wagner, progressing in his rehab from a strained left groin, will throw off the mound today and again Sunday. If all goes well, he will pitch in a simulated game on Tuesday with an eye on being activated next Thursday. . . . The Phillies acquired minor-league right-hander Rob Ellis from Cleveland Thursday for a player to be named and assigned him to Scranton.