Phillies Fans to Get First Look at Cliff Lee Return as Phillippe Aumont Heads to the Big Leagues

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What seems like an eternity ago the Phillies traded ace pitcher Cliff Lee, fresh off of a World Series run and  two dominant World Series games for three prospects:  Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies, and J.C. Ramirez.  The move designed to "replenish the farm system" has yet to yield a major league player.  That is, until today.

Phillies reliever Jeremy Horst has left the team for a short paternity leave, and Aumont will be recalled to take his place.  Horst, who will miss the series against the very team who traded him, has been very effective in 16 outings, pitching to a 1-0 record with a 1.06 ERA in 16 games.  

Aumont, a righty, has rebounded nicely from a rough start in AAA.  In April, Aumont had a 6.48 ERA.  Afterwards he rebounded with a 2.45 May, a 3.97 June, and a 2.38 July.  His most recent appearance for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs he allowed four runs in 2/3 an inning, which helped inflate his numbers.  Overall for the season, Aumont is 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA.  Aumont has 59 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings over 41 games.  

While his stay may be short, Aumont will have a chance to impress for a September recall.  A paternity leave may last for seven days.  Seven days from today is August 28 and rosters expand to as many as 40 on September 1.  A strong showing and Aumont could be back a few days later.

The other two players from the Cliff Lee trade have put up mixed to meditocre results.  Ramirez has a 3-1 record and 4.73 ERA in AAA and a 0-2 record and 3.62 ERA at AA.  Outfielder Tyson Gillies has a .294 average and a .367 on base percentage for AA Reading and has battled both injury and a bus driver, resulting in disabled list time and a suspension, respectively.

The #43 Aumont wore in Spring Training now belongs to Josh Lindblom, so my best guess is he does his best Pedro Martinez impression and wears the #45 he wore in Lehigh Valley.