Keep an eye on Phillies prospect Jesen Therrien

ATLANTA - The Phillies called up a righthander from triple A on Thursday, but it was not the pitcher manager Pete Mackanin secured an autograph from during spring training.

Jesen Therrien - a hard-throwing righthander with a wipeout slider - could be the next pitcher to join the Phillies. The team added veteran Casey Fien on Thursday afternoon to take the spot of lefthander Joely Rodriguez, who was designated for assignment. Fien's tenure could be short because Joaquin Benoit is expected to return Sunday from the disabled list.

"He's French Canadian and speaks four or five languages," Mackanin said of Therrien. "My wife is French Canadian, so she wanted a signed ball from him. I got a signed ball from him."

Therrien began the season with double-A Reading, where he worked as a closer and had a 1.26 ERA in 282/3 innings with 39 strikeouts and three walks. He was promoted last week to triple A and has pitched  four innings without allowing an earned run. The 24-year-old throws a 95-mph fastball, a splitter, and a slider. Therrien could reach the majors after a little more seasoning at triple A.

"We loved him in spring. I loved his breaking ball," Mackanin said. "We really got excited about his breaking ball. He has a really nasty breaking ball. It's good to see.  ...  He's on the map for me based on what I saw in the spring. He came in, and threw strikes with a really good looking breaking ball. Especially out of the bullpen, if you have a really good breaking ball and you can command it, that's half the battle."

Fien, who is playing for his fourth team in two seasons, entered Thursday just one appearance shy of playing in 300 major-league games.

"That's pretty awesome for me," Fien said. "That's a milestone that I'm pretty happy with, especially as a reliever. I don't know how many relievers are going to be going four or five years now."

The Phillies acquired Fien in May from Seattle for cash. Fien, 33, called himself expendable and said he was  willing to pitch in any role. Mackanin said Fien would be able to log multiple innings. He allowed two runs in nine innings with  Lehigh Valley. Fien spent a month playing with some of the Phillies' top prospects.

"Certain games, it's unbelievable," Fien said. "Even the other teams in the outfield before games would be like, `How do we get these guys out?' It's amazing. People are in awe. Even the other teams. And when you have your competitors in awe, that's saying something."

Jeremy Hellickson, Nick Pivetta, and Aaron Nola will pitch  for the Phillies this weekend in St. Louis. The Cardinals will pitch righthanders Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez, and Adam Wainwright.