Park, Bruntlett on Phillies roster for NLCS
LOS ANGELES - The Phillies were confident enough in Chan Ho Park's availability that they called the reliever after Game 3 of the National League Division Series and informed him to be ready to fly to Colorado if he was needed to replace Scott Eyre, who sprained his ankle during the seventh inning of the Phillies' 6-5 win.
LOS ANGELES - The Phillies were confident enough in Chan Ho Park's availability that they called the reliever after Game 3 of the National League Division Series and informed him to be ready to fly to Colorado if he was needed to replace Scott Eyre, who sprained his ankle during the seventh inning of the Phillies' 6-5 win.
In the end, Eyre suffered only a mild sprain and returned the following night to record the first two outs in the ninth inning of the Phillies' clinching win. But Park will be available to contribute in the NLCS after being left off the NLDS roster rehabbing a strained hamstring that has sidelined him since mid-September.
A team source confirmed that Park and utility man Eric Bruntlett will be on the NLCS roster, replacing pitchers Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick. The moves mean the Phillies will carry 11 pitchers instead of 12, and this gives them another option off the bench.
Against Colorado, Myers walked two batters in two-thirds of an inning in the Phillies' Game 2 loss. Kendrick did not make an appearance in the NLDS.
Park said yesterday he felt healthy enough to return to the active roster.
"I'm ready," said Park, who went 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA in 38 relief appearances during the regular season. "I'd be glad if I had more time to face hitters."
Park spent the NLDS working out in Clearwater, Fla., where he threw two bullpen sessions.
"From everything that they say and the way that he was throwing the ball in Florida, he's ready to go," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's ready to pitch. They felt like he is 100 percent."
- David Murphy