As the Bullpen Turns: Rosenberg is next
UPDATE (9:41 a.m.): Indeed, it's B.J. Rosenberg who gets the call. He'll wear No. 53 and is available beginning Saturday.
EARLIER:
BALTIMORE — Raul Valdes has the unfortunate distinction of being lefthanded. Typically, that will prolong a pitcher's career, but in this case, it earned Valdes a ticket to Allentown despite a 2.13 ERA in 12 2/3 innings for the Phillies.
"We want to bring up a righty and see if we can get some balance in our bullpen," Charlie Manuel said after a 9-6 victory over the Orioles. "That was hard because Valdes, I felt like he did a super job for us. He could be back. He pitched good enough. It wasn't because we didn't like the way he pitched."
It's just Chad Qualls and Michael Schwimer have been so bad that another righthanded arm is required.
The Phillies are looking outside the organization for bullpen help, but they will dip into the minors again Saturday for a new face. One possibility is B.J. Rosenberg, a 26-year-old righty who is throwing quite well for the IronPigs.
He began the season at double-A Reading. In 11 games and 20 2/3 innings at triple A, he has a 1.74 ERA with 26 strikeouts and six walks.
The Phillies have two righties on the 40-man roster — Phillippe Aumont and J.C. Ramirez. They, too, are possibilities. So is Brian Sanches, who spent some time with the Phillies earlier this season. But both Aumont and Sanches pitched Friday for Lehigh Valley. Ramirez was just recently promoted to triple A and isn't on the radar.
Plus, the Phillies outrighted Pete Orr off the 40-man roster after Friday's game to leave 39 active players. That suggests the righthanded reliever will come from outside the 40-man roster.
In addition to Rosenberg, Tyson Brummett has decent numbers at triple A after starting in Reading. But Phillies officials have long viewed Rosenberg as a potential arm because he throws strikes.
With a dearth of options at the major-league level, he may finally have his chance.
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