GaryMrMets
07-28-2004, 10:49 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9258015.htm
Posted on Wed, Jul. 28, 2004
Phillies Notes | With Madson down, bullpen must pick up slack
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI - This is Larry Bowa's bullpen, whether he likes it or not.
Righthander Josh Hancock arrived in South Florida yesterday to replace righthander Ryan Madson, who went on the disabled list with a sprained right pinkie. Madson will be in a splint for two weeks before he is reexamined. Closer Billy Wagner, who hasn't pitched since last Wednesday with a left shoulder strain, threw again yesterday and expects to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. He could be back Friday.
In the meantime, Bowa must rely on Hancock (11.57 ERA), Geoff Geary (6.67) and Brian Powell (4.40) to pitch, probably in key situations.
"Not probably," Bowa said. "I'm going to. There's no choice. There's nothing I can do. That's the way it goes."
Bowa didn't come out and say it, but he doesn't appear thrilled with that prospect. On Monday he said, "What do we have now? Three triple-A pitchers from Scranton? Powell, Geary and Hancock. So, we'll see what happens." Yesterday, when asked about possible trades before Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline, he added: "We can sit and talk about this until the cows come home. We've got 25 guys out there. You try to put them in a role where they're going to be successful, and if they're short on ability, there's nothing you can do about it."
Bowa's reference to "triple-A pitchers" didn't sit well with some in the Phillies' clubhouse.
"That's not right to say," Wagner said. "We're trying to be positive. They can pitch, too. That does nothing."
That's not to say players think their roster is fine the way it is. They know a trade could provide a major boost.
"We have the talent, but we still need help," Wagner said. "The bullpen is taxed. The bullpen needs help. I don't know about anything except the bullpen, but there's only three or four guys throwing every night. You need guys you can trust, that you want to put in there. If Bo doesn't have confidence in someone, he's not going to use them."
Powell hadn't pitched since July 10, until he pitched in Monday's 11-3 loss to the Marlins at Pro Player Stadium. Geary has been used in mop-up situations.
"Obviously, if they're here, and you get called up, you deserve to be here," lefthander Rheal Cormier said. "They've just got to give them a chance to go out there and pitch. If they're here, you're going to want to use them. It's tough when you sit for a long period of time. During the time that they're here we have to see what they can do. They have to step up when Ryan goes down."
Hancock is eager for the opportunity. In a spot start June 3 in Atlanta, he allowed eight hits and six runs in two innings.
"I'd like to get another shot to redeem myself," he said.
He should get a chance.
As Bowa said, he has no choice.
Extra bases. Phillies first baseman Jim Thome didn't start last night because of flu-like symptoms... . Righthander Amaury Telemaco, who is on the disabled list, will throw two innings in a simulated game tomorrow for triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Bowa said he could be back with the Phillies on Sunday or Monday.
Posted on Wed, Jul. 28, 2004
Phillies Notes | With Madson down, bullpen must pick up slack
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI - This is Larry Bowa's bullpen, whether he likes it or not.
Righthander Josh Hancock arrived in South Florida yesterday to replace righthander Ryan Madson, who went on the disabled list with a sprained right pinkie. Madson will be in a splint for two weeks before he is reexamined. Closer Billy Wagner, who hasn't pitched since last Wednesday with a left shoulder strain, threw again yesterday and expects to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. He could be back Friday.
In the meantime, Bowa must rely on Hancock (11.57 ERA), Geoff Geary (6.67) and Brian Powell (4.40) to pitch, probably in key situations.
"Not probably," Bowa said. "I'm going to. There's no choice. There's nothing I can do. That's the way it goes."
Bowa didn't come out and say it, but he doesn't appear thrilled with that prospect. On Monday he said, "What do we have now? Three triple-A pitchers from Scranton? Powell, Geary and Hancock. So, we'll see what happens." Yesterday, when asked about possible trades before Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline, he added: "We can sit and talk about this until the cows come home. We've got 25 guys out there. You try to put them in a role where they're going to be successful, and if they're short on ability, there's nothing you can do about it."
Bowa's reference to "triple-A pitchers" didn't sit well with some in the Phillies' clubhouse.
"That's not right to say," Wagner said. "We're trying to be positive. They can pitch, too. That does nothing."
That's not to say players think their roster is fine the way it is. They know a trade could provide a major boost.
"We have the talent, but we still need help," Wagner said. "The bullpen is taxed. The bullpen needs help. I don't know about anything except the bullpen, but there's only three or four guys throwing every night. You need guys you can trust, that you want to put in there. If Bo doesn't have confidence in someone, he's not going to use them."
Powell hadn't pitched since July 10, until he pitched in Monday's 11-3 loss to the Marlins at Pro Player Stadium. Geary has been used in mop-up situations.
"Obviously, if they're here, and you get called up, you deserve to be here," lefthander Rheal Cormier said. "They've just got to give them a chance to go out there and pitch. If they're here, you're going to want to use them. It's tough when you sit for a long period of time. During the time that they're here we have to see what they can do. They have to step up when Ryan goes down."
Hancock is eager for the opportunity. In a spot start June 3 in Atlanta, he allowed eight hits and six runs in two innings.
"I'd like to get another shot to redeem myself," he said.
He should get a chance.
As Bowa said, he has no choice.
Extra bases. Phillies first baseman Jim Thome didn't start last night because of flu-like symptoms... . Righthander Amaury Telemaco, who is on the disabled list, will throw two innings in a simulated game tomorrow for triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Bowa said he could be back with the Phillies on Sunday or Monday.