Is Delmon Young a nine-inning player now?
There does not appear to be an impending roster move to add another outfielder in the wake of Ben Revere's broken ankle. The Phillies, instead, will play with three catchers on a team that requires two nightly defensive replacements in right field and third base.
NEW YORK — Delmon Young received a $100,000 bonus Thursday because it was his 80th day on the active roster. With 18 more plate appearances, he will earn another $150,000 for reaching 250. And with a depleted outfield, the Phillies may be forced to make him a nine-inning player.
There does not appear to be an impending roster move to add another outfielder in the wake of Ben Revere's broken ankle. The Phillies, instead, will play with three catchers on a team that requires two nightly defensive replacements in right field and third base.
If John Mayberry Jr. is installed as the everyday man in center, that leaves Laynce Nix as the lone reserve outfielder. He is also Charlie Manuel's lone lefthanded pinch-hit presence. It will be difficult on some nights to burn him solely as a defensive replacement for Young.
That means Young could be a nine-inning player for the immediate future. Young has started 59 games in 2013. He has been replaced in 31 (or 53 percent) of those games.
The Phillies are thin in the minors. They are trying infielder Cesar Hernandez in center and he has committed a few misplays in his early action. Tyson GIllies is on the 40-man roster but has seesawed between double A and triple A. Leandro Castro is limited in experience. Jermaine Mitchell was released at the end of June.
It could also be the team wants to retain Humberto Quintero, who must clear waivers to be sent to triple A. But he already did that earlier in the season.
Either way, Manuel's late-game management is tougher.
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