The Phillies are short on starting pitching, even according to their own manager. Then, the Phillies actually were linked to a starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett, according to a report in the Boston Globe. Burnett would solidify a starting rotation that has two pitchers who ended 2013 on the disabled list and one who has never thrown a pitch in the major leagues. But, it appears the Phillies will go without Burnett.
Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. ended such speculation today to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury:
“I don’t suspect we’ll be doing anything,” he said Friday. “I think we’ve got what we’ve got. I suspect we’ll go into the season with what we’ve got – or at least spring training with what we’ve got. We’re always looking, always trolling. I know there are guys out there, but I don’t suspect us having anything major coming through.”
"Nothing major" is not Burnett.
WIth pitchers and catchers reporting to camp on Thursday, time is running out to add even a AAA veteran like last year's pick up of Aaron Cook to serve as a AAA backup plan. That backup plan appears to be Chad Gaudin, who would be the bullpen swing man unless he is called for starter duty, which could happen sooner than later.
