If someone told you that through one week of play, the Phillies would be 3-3, would you believe it? After losing two out of three from the Red Sox, the Phils rebounded to take the series from the Nationals and even had a good chance at the sweep.
While the Phillies continue through their rebuild/transitioning phase, players that they dealt in the offseason or didn't re-sign are beginning to settle in with their new teams. Jimmy Rollins has made an impact for the Dodgers, Kyle Kendrick was the Rockies Opening Day starter and Ryan Madson made his return to the mound. Let's take a look at how the former Phillies fared in the first week of play in their new uniforms:
Jimmy Rollins, Dodgers (.269/.310/.538) - Since joining the Dodgers lineup, Rollins has been alright offensively, but has struggled significantly on the defensive end of things, committing four errors through the first six games. Last year, Rollins fourth didn't come until June. Through the first week, J-Roll has driven in seven runs and scored one himself. His biggest hit of the week came on Opening Day, when he hit the go-ahead three-run home run against the Padres. In addition to his homer, he has two doubles, a triple, two steals, four strikeouts and two walks. Rollins and the Dodgers are 3-3 heading into Monday.
Marlon Byrd, Reds (.095/.095/.095) - The Phillies traded Byrd this offseason for Ben Lively, who now takes up a spot on the teams' top 10 prospect list. Byrd led the Phillies in home runs last year with 25, but has yet to find any sort of offensive comfort in his new uniform. In 21 at-bats, he has just two hits and has struck out seven times. Though his average is under the .100 mark, he did drive in the game-winning run against the Pirates on April 9th. The Reds currently find themselves at the top of the NL Central in the early going at 4-2.
Kyle Kendrick, Rockies (2 GS, 1-1, 6.00 ERA) - After dominating the Brewers over seven shutout innings for the Rockies on Opening Day, Kendrick came back to earth very quickly in his second outing of the season. On April 11th, Kendrick made his home debut for Colorado at Coors Field and got hit around big time by the Cubs in a 9-5 loss. Over five innings, Kendrick gave up eight runs on eight hits, including three home runs. He also walked five, struck out three and hit a batter. In eight career games at Coors Field, Kendrick holds an ERA of 6.33 (30 ER in 42.2 innings). Colorado currently sits atop the NL West at 4-2.
Antonio Bastardo, Pirates (0-0, 0.00 ERA) - Bastardo was dealt to the Pirates for Joely Rodriguez, who is currently with the Phillies Triple-A affiliate Ironpigs. The former Phillies lefty has pitched a total of one inning in three appearances, allowing two hits, one walk while striking out one. The Pirates aren't off to a hot start, winning just two out of their first six.
A.J. Burnett, Pirates (1 GS, 0-0, 3.38 ERA) - Phillies fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Burnett elected free agency. He fought through hernia issues all of last year and was never truly effective in red pinstripes. In the offseason, Burnett rejoined his former team, the Pirates, in hopes of regaining some of his old successes. Burnett made his season debut on the 9th of April against the Reds, going 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven. The Reds ended up winning 3-2.
John Mayberry Jr., Mets (.250/.333/.625) - The former Phillies platoon outfielder now finds himself in the outfield mix with the Mets. Mayberry has started two out of the Mets first six games and appeared in five of them overall. On April 10th against the Braves, he went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in the Mets 5-3 loss. The Mets and Phillies are currently tied for second in the NL through one week of play at 3-3.
Wil Nieves, Padres (.250/.250/1.000) - Nieves provided a solid veteran presence at backup catcher for Carlos Ruiz and this year, he is the #2 in San Diego. Though he's only played one game thus far, his one hit in four at-bats was a grand slam to lead the Padres past the Giants on Sunday afternoon, 6-4. The new-look Padres are 4-3 so far, second in the NL West.
Ryan Madson, Royals (0-0, 0.00 ERA) – Making his first appearance in regular season action since 2011, Madson is now a member of the reigning AL Champion Royals. Currently tied with Detroit at 6-0, the Royals took a chance on Madson and the right-hander made the big league roster out of spring training. In one appearance through the first week of games, the former Phillies closer tossed a scoreless ninth in the Royals 10-1 win over the White Sox.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
