We were aware that Phillies reliever Mike Adams underwent surgery this offseason. But, the effects of that surgery were yet to be disclosed. Yesterday, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. reported some injury news that was mostly good for the entire team except the club's free agent prize of 2013.
According to Amaro in a piece on Phillies.com, Adams will miss the start of Spring Training and likely the season:
"We're hopeful that Adams comes back, although he'll probably be the one guy that may be a little behind this spring," Amaro said. "But he's feeling better. Other than Adams, we feel pretty good about what we've got coming into camp as far as our health is concerned. We do have to be at least cautious and aware of some guys like Pettibone and KK. But all indications are all those guys are 100 percent and ready to go other than Adams."
However, getting starters Jonathan Pettibone and Kyle Kendrick healthy prior to Spring Training is a really important development, since beyond those two starters the Phillies only have Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roberto Hernandez, and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. Some reports have the Phillies linked to free agent starter Bronson Arroyo, but the Phillies are short on starting pitcher depth.
Despite a pitching rotation containing five starters the Phillies could use room in case of injury. The Phillies used nine starters in 2013. With Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez mostly a question mark, the Phillies are still in need of depth.
As for the bullpen, the Phillies have plenty of options. As it appears more and more likely starter Jonathan Papelbon will be on the big club opening day, the Phillies can assemble a bullpen from Papelbon, Antonio Bastardo, Jake Diekman, Justin De Fratus, Brad Lincoln, Mike Stutes, Jeremy Horst, Joe Savery, B.J. Rosenberg, Rule 5 draftee Kevin Munson, Phillippe Aumont, and still-on-the-roster Luis Garcia.
