If you thought the Phillies had hit rock bottom when eighth inning reliever Mike Adams hit the disabled list the other day and had to turn to to a minor leaguer with a 6.53 ERA in J.C. Ramirez, you were not alone. The move seemed like a good way to send a message to fellow Cliff Lee-tradee Phillippe Aumont, struggling with control at AAA. Now, an injury to Mike Stutes means that Ramirez and Aumont will be reunited again. Stutes heads to the disabled list with biceps tendonitis.
The Phillies have absolutely nothing left at AAA to call up for the bullpen, unless they decide to let Carlos Zambrano start and use Jon Pettibone and/or Tyler Cloyd in the bullpen. B.J. Rosenberg, who pitched poorly both in the major leagues and the majors, remains at AAA and could be the next call should the Phillies need someone.
On the Phillies Post Game Show on PHL-17 today, fomer Phillies shortstop/coach/manager Larry Bowa said that a bullpen full of young guys is OK… provided the whole team is going that way. Veterans Adams and Durbin were supposed to stabilize the bullpen, but Adams was signed injured and Durbin didn't last six weeks. If the Phillies truly are going to keep going and have any dreams of the postseason, they will have to add pieces. But the question is, is it really worth it?
A side note: Adams is going to get a "second opinion" for his injury from Roy Halladay's doctor in Los Angeles. He could be out a while.
