GaryMrMets
07-28-2004, 10:50 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s072804c.htm
Phillies scramble to fill holes
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
MIAMI
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade and his assistants are spending the days leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline at the team's complex in Clearwater, Fla., making calls and scouring the trade market.
Meanwhile, across the state, manager Larry Bowa and the players wait to hear what will happen.
The sense of hope that reinforcements will come has been heightened in recent days, as the Phillies try to stay afloat on a 13-game road trip without closer Billy Wagner and reliever Ryan Madson. Not only that, first baseman Jim Thome fell ill in the afternoon and was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Florida.
Bowa spoke at length with Wade by phone Tuesday afternoon.
"He just said we're making calls," Bowa said. "There's nothing close."
The urgency felt by the Phillies grew Tuesday when Madson officially was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The rookie right-hander was diagnosed with a sprained right pinky finger following an examination in Philadelphia by team doctor Michael Ciccotti and hand specialist Randall Culp.
Madson will have to wear a splint for at least two weeks and then be re-evaluated by Culp, who has been kept busy by the Phillies this year, having already examined Thome and Wagner for finger injuries.
The Phillies are already believed to be actively searching for at least one bullpen arm, and with Madson out and Wagner expected to be unavailable until at least the weekend, the bullpen currently boasts three relievers who started the year at Triple-A Scranton: Brian Powell, Geoff Geary and Josh Hancock, who was recalled Tuesday to take Madson's place.
"I told (Wade), there are going to be some guys (working) in the sixth and seventh innings that we normally don't go to," Bowa said. "He said he understood."
Until a deal is made, Bowa is left to work with what he has.
"We're going to do the best we can. That's all we can do," Bowa said. "You come to the park, take the 25 guys you have, whoever's available, and do whatever you can do.
"You try to put your 25 guys in a role where they can be successful. If they come up short, there's nothing you can do about it."
More on Wagner: Wagner threw about 20 pitches on flat ground Tuesday afternoon, and after a day of rest today, will try to get on the mound Thursday. If everything goes well, he could be available out of the bullpen as soon as Friday.
"It felt better," he said of his ailing left shoulder. "There's still a little inflammation, but I was able to put a lot more on it. I'm probably at 90-95 percent."
Hancock comes back: Though it was nearly two months ago, Hancock remembers well his last major-league appearance he gave up six runs in two innings of a loss at Atlanta.
He's back, this time as a long reliever, and he hopes to make a stronger contribution this time.
"I'd like to get more out of it," Hancock said. "The last time I pitched up here, it wasn't so great. But I went down and worked on some things, and I gained more confidence in myself."
Phillies scramble to fill holes
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
MIAMI
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade and his assistants are spending the days leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline at the team's complex in Clearwater, Fla., making calls and scouring the trade market.
Meanwhile, across the state, manager Larry Bowa and the players wait to hear what will happen.
The sense of hope that reinforcements will come has been heightened in recent days, as the Phillies try to stay afloat on a 13-game road trip without closer Billy Wagner and reliever Ryan Madson. Not only that, first baseman Jim Thome fell ill in the afternoon and was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Florida.
Bowa spoke at length with Wade by phone Tuesday afternoon.
"He just said we're making calls," Bowa said. "There's nothing close."
The urgency felt by the Phillies grew Tuesday when Madson officially was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The rookie right-hander was diagnosed with a sprained right pinky finger following an examination in Philadelphia by team doctor Michael Ciccotti and hand specialist Randall Culp.
Madson will have to wear a splint for at least two weeks and then be re-evaluated by Culp, who has been kept busy by the Phillies this year, having already examined Thome and Wagner for finger injuries.
The Phillies are already believed to be actively searching for at least one bullpen arm, and with Madson out and Wagner expected to be unavailable until at least the weekend, the bullpen currently boasts three relievers who started the year at Triple-A Scranton: Brian Powell, Geoff Geary and Josh Hancock, who was recalled Tuesday to take Madson's place.
"I told (Wade), there are going to be some guys (working) in the sixth and seventh innings that we normally don't go to," Bowa said. "He said he understood."
Until a deal is made, Bowa is left to work with what he has.
"We're going to do the best we can. That's all we can do," Bowa said. "You come to the park, take the 25 guys you have, whoever's available, and do whatever you can do.
"You try to put your 25 guys in a role where they can be successful. If they come up short, there's nothing you can do about it."
More on Wagner: Wagner threw about 20 pitches on flat ground Tuesday afternoon, and after a day of rest today, will try to get on the mound Thursday. If everything goes well, he could be available out of the bullpen as soon as Friday.
"It felt better," he said of his ailing left shoulder. "There's still a little inflammation, but I was able to put a lot more on it. I'm probably at 90-95 percent."
Hancock comes back: Though it was nearly two months ago, Hancock remembers well his last major-league appearance he gave up six runs in two innings of a loss at Atlanta.
He's back, this time as a long reliever, and he hopes to make a stronger contribution this time.
"I'd like to get more out of it," Hancock said. "The last time I pitched up here, it wasn't so great. But I went down and worked on some things, and I gained more confidence in myself."