Phillies 2011 Injury/Transaction Thread

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They're inevitable and the Phillies have had a couple so far. Chase Utley got a cortisone shot in his knee today, who knows what his status will be

Big news today is Domonic Brown fractured the hamate bone in his right hand. That will keep him out anywhere from 3-6 weeks and likely means his season will start in Allentown

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This would likely mean Ben Francisco starts the season in right. Could also mean John Mayberry makes the club. Delwyn Young could be in the mix as well, barring any moves over the next four weeks

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Still not getting any good news on Utley's knee. If it gets to where he definitely will miss significant time, I'd imagine they'd start looking at options outside the organization. Michael Young and Chone Figgins will probably be the most popular names, but who knows what the asking price will be there. Guys like David Eckstein and Julio Lugo are usigned. Not the most exciting options, though they'd be very cheap to sign and could move over to a reserve role if Utley isn't out long-term

[Jimmerz]

Trade Blanton sooner than expected..?

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Trade Blanton sooner than expected..?

These next couple weeks with Utley will tell the tale. I'm sure Big Joe is hoping for a speedy recovery

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Charlie Manuel gets his contract extended through 2013. No big surprise there. He'll be 69 years old when the contract runs out

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Ruben Amaro reportedly agrees to a contract extension. Guess that had to happen sooner or later

[Jimmerz]

I hate spring training. Come on April.

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Amaro's deal will run through 2015. Smug

http://www.almostathletes.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Amaro.Jr_.jpg

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Utley has evidently taken some "baby steps" in his rehab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3JPa2mvSQ4

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Red Sox may be looking to move Marco Scutaro. Would take less to get him than someone like Michael Young. He's a decent hitter and better fielder than Young

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Brad Lidge with some biceps tendinitis. Rich Dubee says it's nothing serious, but we'll see

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Phillies sign Luis Castillo to a minor league deal. Not really sure what Castillo can give you that you can't already get from Wilson Valdez, Mike Martinez, Josh Barfield, Delwyn Young, Pete Orr, etc. Of course, it's a minor league deal, so there really isn't anything to lose. If Castillo shows there's nothing left over these next 10 days, the Phils can let him go without really losing anything

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Scary moment against the Rays today as Roy Oswalt took a Manny Ramirez line drive off the back of his neck. He walked off with just a bruise and should be fine going forward

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Lidge will start the season on the DL with a shoulder injury unrelated to the previous bicep tendinitis. Never had any velocity this spring. I'm thinking this could be a long-term deal. The reports from when Lidge threw this spring were very discouraging. I hope everything turns out OK, but to me this seems to have "torn labrum" written all over it

Now for the trickle-down effect of Lidge's injury. Ryan Madson will get the first crack at closing, which could be an audition for the permanent job in 2012 and beyond. Jose Contreras would likely slide into a setup role and could get some closing opportunities as well. It would be in the best interest of Danys Baez and the Phillies if his strong spring continues into the season, as he could become a key piece in the bullpen. This could also mean David Herndon heads north with the big club, though it sounds like they would rather have him at Lehigh Valley developing some secondary pitches. It pretty much clinches a spot for Antonio Bastardo as a second lefty, though it was already looking like he was going to make the team

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Scott Mathieson and Mike Zagurski sent to the minors. Barring any moves over the next week, Bastardo and Herndon will be on the Opening Day roster

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Castillo released, Opening Day roster announced:

PITCHERS: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick

CATCHERS: Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider

INFIELDERS: Ryan Howard, Wilson Valdez, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Mike Martinez, Pete Orr

OUTFIELDERS: Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, John Mayberry

DISABLED LIST: Chase Utley, Brad Lidge, Domonic Brown, Brian Bocock, Brian Schlitter

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Phillies sign Ronnie Belliard to a minor league contract. Wonder if I can still play third base...

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A healthy first couple weeks all things considered, but Oswalt left tonight's game against the Marlins with back spasms and Gload left with a right knee injury. Oswalt said he'll be OK to make his next start, but more will be known after he throws a bullpen session. Gload is considered day-to-day

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JC Romero left tonight's game with a strained right calf. Sounds like he'll land on the DL. Mike Zagurski and Juan Perez would be the most likely replacements if they decide to bring up another lefty

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Romero to DL, Zagurski up

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Brian Schlitter returned to the Cubs, his waiver claim was retracted due to a pre-existing injury. He was pretty much only on the DL for the Phils to free up some roster space. Doubtful he was ever actually going to pitch here

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Jose Contreras heads to the DL with a elbow strain, Mike Stutes called up. Ryan Madson, come on down

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Roy Oswalt leaves the team due to concerns over major storms and tornadoes hitting his home area. Because of two off days, he isn't scheduled to pitch again until next Tuesday. Phillies are hopeful he'll be back for that start

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Carlos Ruiz leaves today's game against the Diamondbacks with lower back tightness and is day-to-day for now. I wouldn't be shocked if the Phils put Oswalt on the bereavement list (which is a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven) and called up an extra catcher just to be safe. Dane Sardinha and Erik Kratz would be the candidates in that instance

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Joe Blanton goes to the DL with a right elbow impingement. Vance Worley is called up from Lehigh Valley and will start against the Mets tomorrow

No official update on Ruiz yet. Sounds like he could miss a couple days but may avoid the DL

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Dane Sardinha will be called up as the emergency catcher. No word on what the corresponding roster move would be. If Oswalt isn't placed on leave, then I would imagine David Herndon on Mike Zagurski will get sent down and the Phillies will carry one fewer pitcher for the time being

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Sardinha up, Zagurski down

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Phillies activate Domonic Brown from the DL and option him to Lehigh Valley, as had been expected. Oswalt will not start Tuesday, but will rejoin the team later in the week and start either next Saturday or Sunday against the Braves. Looks like Romero should be back sometime in the coming week as well

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Was wondering last night why Cole Hamels pinch-hit in the 14th inning when Gload had yet to be used. Turned out Gload was away from the team due to a death in the family

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Romero activated from the DL, David Herndon sent down

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2007/08/28/amd_jcromero.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/Other/hERNdOG.gif http://umpbump.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/erin_romero.jpg

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Roy Oswalt scratched from tomorrow's start as he's still having some back pain that initally forced him from the game on April 15 against the Marlins. This could land him on the DL. Kyle Kendrick will start in his place. Carlos Ruiz could also be hitting the DL, though the retroactive date would be last Thursday and he would only have to miss another week. Not sure how the retro date would work for Oswalt, as I believe the limit is ten days

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Oswalt to the DL with back problems, Scott Mathieson called up. Polanco left tonight's game after fouling a ball off his foot, x-rays were negative

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Ruiz officially placed on the DL retroactive to April 28. Blanton will be activated from the DL to start tomorrow against the Marlins

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Brian Schneider leaves tonight's game against the Marlins with a strained left hamstring. Ruiz is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, which could come in handy if he's ready

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Ruiz activated, Schneider does indeed go to the DL

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Shane Victorino leaves today's game against the Braves with a sore right hamstring. Scratch any thoughts on Domonic Brown coming up, though. Brown is out for about a week with a thumb injury

[Jimmerz]

No news is good news :(

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Oswalt activated, Worley sent down. Sounds like they want to get Worley some more innings in AAA

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Placido Polanco sitting out tonight against the Cardinals with some back stiffness, though it supposedly is minor

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Mike Stutes left tonight's game against the Cardinals with a strained right oblique. Those generally require a DL stint

Victorino still not back. Not sure where this is heading

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Sounds like Stutes is only going to be out a couple days, which is good if that turns out to be the case. Contreras is starting a rehab assignment tonight, could be back sometime next week if all goes well

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Blanton scratched tonight as his elbow continues to bother him. Probably going to have to shut him down for a while, can't go into all his starts not knowing if he is going to be able to take the ball

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Blanton and Victorino are going to the DL. Would imagine Worley will take Blanton's spot in the rotation, though the Phils could call up a reliever to fill in for a couple days in the meantime. Amaro said Brown won't be called up to take Victorino's spot. Thinking it could be someone like a Ronnie Belliard, Josh Barfield, or Delwyn Young if Utley doesn't get activated

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc324/emoselene777/jeebus.jpg

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Victorino hits the DL, Brown called up after Amaro said he wasn't going to be. That sly devil, Ruben

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/DOM-O-NIC.gif

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Also, Herndon recalled and Mathieson sent down. Pretty much an disaster relief move with a depleted bullpen. Sounds like Worley won't be recalled until his spot to replace Blanton will come up

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/Other/hERNdOG.gif

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Utley is back in town, looks like he'll be activated for tomorrow's game against the Reds. Contreras should also be back sometime within the next few days

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Pete Orr will be sent down as Utley is activated. Blanton will officially hit the DL tomorrow, Worley comes up. Also, the Phillies signed Scott Podsednik to a minor league deal

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This is Scott Podsednik's wife, by the way:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1PdscGe35M/TZoflK31ztI/AAAAAAAAIS8/74ORYBlV0NU/s400/Lisa%2BDergan.jpg

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Contreras was activated and pitched yesterday, Herndon back to Lehigh Valley

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Worley sent to AAA after today's game. Corresponding move will be made prior to tomorrow's game. Bullpen depth with an off day this week? Very curious move here. Worley got lit up yesterday and wasn't great the start before that, but they're still going to need a fifth starter again before too long. Kendrick back to the rotation maybe? Not a fan of that. I'd stick with Worley and leave Kendrick in the bullpen, where he's pitched pretty well this season

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Zagurski was called up yesterday and pitched. Victorino still on target to return Friday

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Victorino activated, Mayberry sent down in a bit of a surprising move

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/Avatars/psychoshaneavatar.gif

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1pcDcbN2Q4/TZciOUxhahI/AAAAAAAAIFo/Qd9jRdgh3QE/s400/040111_mayberry-400.jpgg

[Jimmerz]

I'm not surprised, I called it on Jody's blog ;)

But seriously, I'm not surprised by this.

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Mayberry comes right back as Ross Gload is placed on the paternity leave list. That list has a three-day maximum, so Gload will probably be back when the Phillies return home on Monday

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Jimmy Rollins left last night's game with a right patella contusion. Doesn't expect to go on the DL but is probably going to be out a few days

Zagurski was sent back down after last night's game, Herndon called back up. So Herndog continutes to ride the Lehigh Valley shuttle

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/Other/hERNdOG.gif

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Phillies select Larry Greene, a high school outfielder from Georgia, with their first pick in the draft. Was also a football star with a scholarship offer from Alabama. Shades of Domonic Brown, though not built the same way

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Greene was in attendance and was noticeably flustered when being interviewed by Hazel Mae. But then again, can you really blame him?

http://arodrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hazel-Mae2.jpg

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Greene is 6'0"/235, said to have tremendous power and projects as a corner outfielder or first baseman

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Hamels left tonight's game with back tightness. Should know more about his status in the next day or two

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Worley is recalled to start Saturday's game in Seattle. J.C. Romero designated for assignment, meaning the Phillies have 10 days to trade or release him if he clears waivers and declines the assignment to the minors

[excongressman weiner]

Do you think he will except a minors assignment? He definitely has no trade value

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We'll always have 2007 and 2008 with Romero. And his wife

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/10/18/alg_jc_romero.jpghttp://www.wheresweems.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/erin_romero1-203x300.jpg

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Do you think he will except a minors assignment? He definitely has no trade value

Not out of the question, though judging from Ruben Amaro's tone in the press conference announcing the move it sounded like he was ready to part ways. Romero could decide to stay in the organization and see if he can get his control back at Lehigh Valley in case a spot opens later in the season

[Jimmerz]

Yeah I've seen enough of Romero. He hasn't been the same since his suspension *cough*

Make like a tree and get out of here!

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Phillies signed Tim Redding to a minor league deal. It's unknown if he'll ever suit up for the Phils, but at least he won't be pitching against them any time soon

There were a whole bunch of other minor league moves made, notably relievers Phillippe Aumont and Justin DeFratus being promoted to Lehigh Valley. Third baseman Cody Overbeck, who is having a big power year, was also moved up to the IronPigs after Ronnie Belliard announced his retirement. Joe Savery, trying to make the conversion into a full-time position player, was moved up from Clearwater to Reading

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Sounds like Contreras will be heading back to the DL with a sore elbow, Juan Perez will be coming up from Lehigh Valley. Contreras wasn't used much since coming off the DL and wasn't very effective when he did pitch. Hopefully he can get everything cleared up and regain that early season form after the All-Star break

Perez is a 32-year old lefty who last pitched in the big leagues with the Pirates in 2007. He's 0-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 28 games for the IronPigs this season, but was holding lefties to a .184 average with 14 strikeouts in 38 at-bats. The Phillies had only had one lefty in the bullpen after designating J.C Romero for assignment last week

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Contreras expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a flexor tendon strain. This could come into play around trade deadline time

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This is Juan Perez, by the way:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/TonyRona/ani/aniJuanPerez.gif

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Oswalt left tonight's game against the Cardinals with back pain and it doesn't sound good. He said it hurts to pitch, walk, stand, sleep, etc. Could be a while before we see him again

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Oswalt hits the DL, Mathieson recalled. Schneider activated, Sardinha sent down. Romero given his outright release

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Ryan Madson lands on the DL thanks to the bruised hand that's kept him out the past week. Andrew Carpenter called up. Since Madson hasn't pitched since the 18th, he is placed on the DL retroactive to June 19 and will be eligible to return on July 4. Bastardo and/or Stutes will close in the meantime. Phillies relievers haven't had a ninth inning save situation since June 12. The team is 9-4 in that stretch. Four of the wins have been by four or more runs, starters have completed three others, and there were two walkoff victories

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Hamels left Thursday's game with a bruised right hand after being struck there by an Adrian Gonzalez line drive. He says he'll be OK to start against the Marlins on Tuesday, Ruben Amaro wasn't so sure

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Your 2011 Phillies National League All-Stars are:

Placido Polanco (starter at 3B)
Cole Hamels
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee

Shane Victorino is among the Final Player candidates. He won that voting in 2009

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Victorino missed tonight's game with a thumb injury sustained after falling to the turf in Toronto yesterday. He's day-to-day

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Worley sent to Lehigh Valley after tonight's game. Not a performance issue, rather his spot in the rotation wasn't going to come up again until after the All-Star break so he'll get to start a game or two for the IronPigs as opposed to sitting around for two weeks. Haven't seen who is coming up, but would imagine it's John Mayberry

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/Motion_Blur/WORLY.png http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/TonyRona/Misc/Mayberry.gif

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Mayberry indeed is the one called up

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Victorino's sprained thumb lands him on the DL a day after he won the Final Player vote to go to the All-Star Game. Pete Orr is recalled from Lehigh Valley

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/TonyRona/Misc/Orr.gif

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Placido Polanco's back issues land him on the DL, retroactive to July 5. Ryan Madson activated

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Roy Halladay left tonight's game in Chicago due to heat exhaustion. Probably not something that will keep him out of his next start, but we'll know more in the coming days

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Victorino activated, Orr sent back to Lehigh Valley

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http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/7/19/dc2dbf60-3c6e-4260-9e2c-738116aa48b6.jpg

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Halladay is fine now, but said he'd rather not get into specifics concerning the aftermath of his performance last night. I'm thinking it was something like the laxative scene in Dumb and Dumber

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Brad Lidge has been activated, Danys Baez designated for assignment

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Roy Oswalt will be going out on a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Placido Polanco might not be too far behind

(Insert tasteless Amy Winehouse joke here)

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Ken Rosenthal reports the Phillies and Astros are close to completing a deal that will send Hunter Pence to the Phils. Expected to go to Houston are pitcher Jared Cosart, first baseman/outfielder Jonathan Singleton, and two players to be named later. Neither of those will be Domonic Brown

http://twitter.com/#!/Ken_Rosenthal

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Astros also reportedly sending cash to the Phillies. Would imagine Brown goes back to Lehigh Valley to play every day and takes over in left for Ibanez next season. Or maybe he stays in right and Pence moves to left

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Reading pitcher Josh Zeid is one of the two players to be named later. The other is not expected to be named tonight. Astros will send the Phillies $1 million. So the deal is:

To Phillies: Hunter Pence and cash considerations

To Astros: RHPs Jarred Cosart and Josh Zeid, 1B/OF Jonathan Singleton, player to be named later

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Brown sent to Lehigh Valley and moved to left field, which is where he'll probably be playing for the Phillies on Opening Day 2012

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Phillies have interest in Jim Thome to come back and play a Matt Stairs/Mike Sweeney role off the bench. Thome is just four homers shy of 600 for his career. Not sure if the Twins would trade him, they're still hanging around in the AL Central race

Phils were also working on a deal for Jason Giambi before he got hurt. So it seems like they're going to look for an old bomber to come off the bench in the postseason

Sounds like the Phillies are still looking for bullpen help. Mike Adams and Heath Bell are still targets, though it's hard to see a deal getting done for one of those guys after the Pence trade. A waiver deal after the deadline is the more likely scenario there

Still no word on whether or not Placido Polanco has been activated

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Polanco activated, Drew Carpenter sent down. Phillies will carry one less pitcher for the time being

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Ruben Amaro remains "cautiously optimistic" the Phillies will make another deal by the 4 pm non-waiver deadline today

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwzsoaDyRM0/TgscQ-9-kcI/AAAAAAAACLM/6q84onHu8XA/s1600/amaro-glare.jpg

"Heath Bell, Mike Adams, I'm looking in your direction"

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No Bell, he's been traded to the Rangers. Sounds like the Padres will keep Adams

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Check that, it's Adams who goes to the Rangers. Bell still in play

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No further moves for the Phillies prior to the non-waiver deadline passing. Bell stays put in San Diego. Can still make moves provided players pass through waivers

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Roy Oswalt activated, Juan Perez sent down

Polanco left yesterday's game with a hip injury, he's headed back to Philly for an MRI

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Shane Victorino suspended three games for his role in Friday's brawl. He'll appeal

Polanco has a sports hernia, but hopes to avoid the DL

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Cole Hamels will miss his next start due to inflammation in his left shoulder. Not expected to miss any more than that

Polanco will go on the DL due to his sports hernia, but will skip surgery for the time being. Corresponding move will be announced tomorrow

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Polanco's spot on the roster will be taken by reliever Michael Schwimer. The Phillies had been carrying one fewer pitcher than usual the past few weeks

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Carlos Ruiz out tonight with a testicular contustion. Ouch

http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/photofiles/list/1248/1739nutcracker.jpg

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Michael Schwimer is not to be confused with David Schwimmer

http://www.philliedelphia.com/.a/6a01348829760c970c014e892e893b970d-800wi http://images.buddytv.com/articles/Image/friends/what-are-they-up-to-david-schwimmer.jpg

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Ryan Howard had some cramping in his right hand tonight, but doesn't think it's a big deal. All guys cramp up in that hand sometimes. Or at least that's what I hear...

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Jack Cust and Aaron Heilman were released from Lehigh Valley today. Heilman wasn't in the team's plans for September, though Cust was believed to be a serious candidate for a callup. Interesting

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Jimmy Rollins left today's game after turning his ankle while making a spin throw from the outfield grass. Guess we'll know more as information becomes available

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The injury to Rollins is a strained right groin. He's day-to-day

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Rollins tweets he's going on the DL

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Rollins does go on the DL, Polanco activated. Ibanez scratched tonight with a groin injury

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Jim Thome placed on waivers by the Twins. It isn't believed he'll pass on through to the Phillies, though he is able to request a release if a deal can't be worked out with a team he wants to go to

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Hamels to DL, which isn't much of a shock since he was going to end up missing close to two weeks anyway. He's expected to be activated sometime during the Reds series next week, possibly as early as Monday. Pete Orr recalled

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Hamels activated and will start tonight in Cincinnati, Orr sent down

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Phillies acquire lefthanded hitting first baseman/outfielder John Bowker from the Pirates for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He'll provide an extra lefty bat off the bench. Bowker had a decent rookie season with the Giants in 2008, but hasn't really done much since. He'd spent most of this season in the minors. To make room, Michael Schwimer was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Jose Contreras was transferred to the 60-day DL, as he'll soon be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery

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Kyle Kendrick went on paternity leave on Friday, with Schwimer returning. Since the rosters have expanded, they'll probably just keep Schwimer up when Kendrick returns

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Joe Blanton activated from the DL. He'll be in the bullpen for the remainder of this season. Kendrick is also back from paternity leave

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Chase Utley left tonight's game to undergo concussion tests after being hit on the helmet by a pitch thrown by Eric O'Flaherty. He's expected to be out a few days. Jimmy Rollins will be activated from the DL tomorrow, though he won't return to the starting lineup right away

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Ryan Howard getting a cortisone shot today to alleviate some bursitis in his heel and ankle. Should be back by the end of the week

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Minor league callups who joined the team on Saturday were pitchers Joe Savery and Justin DeFratus, catcher Erik Kratz, along with outfielders Brandon Moss and Domonic Brown