Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Posted: 3:54 p.m.Updated: 6:45 p.m.
By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com
From one perspective, righthanded relief pitcher David Herndon is going to get a chance to pitch regularly. Thats definitely the half-full view of things.
Nevertheless, Herndon, the one-time Rule 5 selection who spent the entire 2010 season on the Phillies 25-man roster, was optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley in order to make room for lefty J.C. Romero, the club announced. Romero had been on the 15-day disabled list with a right calf strain.
With the move, the Phillies have two lefthanders in the bullpen in Romero and Antonio Bastardo, though just six relievers. That means the Phillies are carrying 11 total pitchers for the time beingjust how manager Charlie Manuel likes it.
Sooner or later we might go back to 12 pitchers, but when you can carry 11 thats when you have a really strong staff, he said.
In a team-leading 11 outings for the Phillies covering 10 23 innings, Herndon had a 9.28 ERA with just three strikeouts and seven walks. The pressing issue for Herndon, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee, was himself.
MLB
He was fighting himself, Dubee said before Wednesday nights matchup against the Washington Nationals at the Bank. He got caught looking over his shoulder. Hell go down there and get his head straightened out and hell be back.
As a Rule 5 selection by the Phillies in December 2009, Herndon, 25, had to be kept on the Phillies 25-man roster or be offered back to the Los Angeles Angels. Had the Angels not wanted Herndon back, he then would have had to slip through waivers before the Phillies could option Herndon to Triple A. Remarkably, the club was able to send Rule 5 pick Shane Victorino to Triple A in 2005.
Meanwhile, as a Rule 5 guy in 2010, Herndon leapt from Double A in the Angels chain to the big leagues. Knowing that he couldnt be moved off the roster if the Phils wanted to keep him undoubtedly alleviated some of the pressure from Herndon in 48 games last year, but this year he didnt have that luxury.
We like David, hes still a big prospect for us and hell be back, Manuel said. He needs to go down and work on his command and keeping the ball down. Also, he needs to pitch some, get his work in and get sharp again.
Interestingly, Herndon has never appeared in a Triple A game, but hell undoubtedly get a chance now.
Bullpen options
Romero appeared in seven games before he went down with his injury. He had faced 18 hitters with six of those against leftiesa role, Manuel believes Romero will continue.
So with Romero earmarked for a situational lefty role, Bastardo will step in as the go-to lefty out of the pen. Then again, Bastardo has been lights out this season.
In 11 games covering 11 innings, Bastardo has 18 strikeouts with an 0.90 WHIP. He also tied a club record when he struck out six hitters in a row in a two-inning outing against the Braves on April 8.
Bastardo is starting to prove that he can pitch in the back end of the bullpen, Manuel said.
Just 25, Bastardo appears to be coming into his own after some injuries and false starts during the past two seasons.
He has matured some since spring training, Manuel explained. Success and throwing strikes might have something to do with that.
The injury front
Elsewhere, injured pitchers Joe Blanton is scheduled to throw in the bullpen on Thursday while Jose Contreras is set to play catch. Blanton is eligible to come off the DL on May 9 while Contreras stint can end May 7.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has not played since April 27 because of a sore back, took swings in the batting cage on Wednesday. He is scheduled to take live BP on Thursday.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com
