The Phillies bullpen returned to a regrettable form on Wednesday night. After Jerad Eickhoff departed after five innings and four runs (three earned) the Phillies bullpen combined to give up an additional 10 runs. Adam Morgan was hit for four, Luis Garcia for five, and Andres Blanco (yes, the infielder) surrendered the final run in relief. But someone without an earned run last night took the fall.
Left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez was designated for assignment after the game, the Phillies announced. Rodriguez entered with the bases loaded. As has been typical of Rodriguez, he allowed all three runners on base to score. The runs were charged to Morgan, but Rodriguez has shown that filling the left-handed specialist role is not working out so well.
The Phillies have a few options. Relievers Hoby Milner, Cesar Ramos, and Pat Venditte have all been pitching well at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Milner and Ramos are left-handed, while Venditte can pitch from both sides.
Milner has been scored upon only in one of his outings thus far. Venditte was scored upon only twice, and Ramos has gotten many more innings for the IronPigs as he has made four spot starts. Of the three, Milner is the prospect while the other two are more veteran types.
A source close to Sports Talk Philly's Brandon Apter says that Milner may be getting the call. While the Phillies need a fresh arm – Milner pitched on Wednesday night – Milner fits the profile of a left-handed pitcher that the team things highly of for the future.
The Cleveland Indians thought highly enough of Milner that they took Milner in the Rule 5 draft in December. However, the Indians were unable to carry him on the Opening Day roster and the Phillies took him back.
