Trip to minors hasn't helped Eaton
Adam Eaton has been a staggering disappointment since he joined the Phillies before last season. That disappointment has not subsided since the Phillies optioned him to the minors, where he is 0-1 with a 12.86 ERA after two starts.
Adam Eaton
has been a staggering disappointment since he joined the Phillies before last season.
That disappointment has not subsided since the Phillies optioned him to the minors, where he is 0-1 with a 12.86 ERA after two starts.
He allowed four runs, five hits, one walk and one home run in just 3 2/3 innings last week for single-A Lakewood. He allowed seven runs (six earned), four hits, two walks and two homers in just 3 1/3 innings Tuesday for double-A Reading.
"If he is going to help us later on this year, he's going to have to pitch much better than he's pitched so far," said Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies assistant general manager. "There are some things mechanically that he's trying to work through. Obviously, he's struggling to get there, because he hasn't pitched well."
Eaton signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract, so he is getting paid regardless of how he pitches. Amaro said he did not think Eaton was simply collecting a paycheck.
Amaro was asked if he thought Eaton's heart was in it. "I certainly hope so," he said. "He was in agreement with us that this was the best thing for him."
There is no question that the signing has been a failure. Eaton was 10-10 with a 6.29 ERA last season, pitching so poorly that manager Charlie Manuel left him off the postseason roster. He was 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA this season before the Phillies optioned him to the minor leagues.
Eaton is expected to rejoin the team after the minor-league season ends and big-league rosters expand Sept. 1.
"We're not happy with how it's worked out so far," Amaro said. "We still have to keep our eyes and ears open. We have to keep hope alive because we've invested a lot of money into the guy."
Eaton is scheduled to make $8.5 million next season, but it is not a lock that he will be in the rotation.
"It's possible, but a lot of it depends how he finishes off this year," Amaro said.
Gordon ailing
Righthander
Tom Gordon
left last night's rehabilitation assignment for single-A Clearwater with discomfort in his right elbow, the Phillies said.
He will fly to Philadelphia, where he will be evaluated.
Gordon has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 6 with inflammation in the elbow.
Garcia's return unlikely
Pat Gillick
leaves no stone unturned, which is why the general manager sent minor-league pitching coordinator
Gorman Heimueller
to the University of Miami on Tuesday to watch free-agent righthander
Freddy Garcia
throw.
"He's got a ways to go," Amaro said. "For us, I don't think we believe that he's a guy that could help us this year. He threw OK. The feeling is that he's going to come back, but he probably couldn't help us in September."
Eyes on Eyre
The Phillies remain interested in lefthander
Scott Eyre
, whom the Chicago Cubs designated for assignment Tuesday.
Hamels ready?
Cole Hamels
will start this afternoon in the series finale against the Marlins. He is 0-1 with a 7.45 ERA in his last two starts. Opponents have hit .333 against him. They hit just .211 against him in his first 21 starts.
Hamels has pitched 1601/3 innings this season. He pitched 1671/3 last season before he landed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Hamels is healthy, but the Phils remain concerned about keeping him healthy and fresh for the stretch run.
"If we lose him, that would be a big blow," Manuel said. "I'm always concerned about it because his health has always been an issue. To keep him healthy is very important for us."
Seanez is throwing
Righthander
Rudy Seanez
, on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder, threw well in a bullpen session, the Phillies said. He is eligible to be activated Aug. 16.
Injured child seems OK
Tyler Babel
, the 6-year-old boy who was struck in the face by a line drive off
Jeremy Hermida's
bat Tuesday, has a fractured orbital bone near his eye, the Phillies said. The swelling must subside for doctors to know more about the injury.
Hermida and Jamie Moyer, who threw the pitch that Hermida lined down the first-base line, have contacted the boy's family.
Extra bases
Third baseman
Pedro Feliz
, on the disabled list with inflammation in his lower back, will see a specialist today. . . . Wrestler
Kurt Angle
, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, will throw out the first pitch today. He is in town for a wrestling show Sunday at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton.