The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Paul Hagen on the latest career setback for America’s Least Favorite Hummer Owner :
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel announced today that righthander Jon Lieber will be used out of the bullpen beginning with tomorrow afternoon’s game against the Red Sox at Bright House Networks Field.Lieber had been considered the odd man out in the rotation ever since the Phillies signed free-agent righthander Adam Eaton and traded for righthander Freddy Garcia during the offseason.
The Phils were expected to trade Lieber but so far have not been able to make a deal.
“Yeah I’m disappointed,” Lieber said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I’m going to do it for those guys in there, but obviously I think I can still start. It stinks. I signed here to be a starter.”
While Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka was nearly unhittable this afternoon against the Pirates, the recovering Jon Lester had a rough outing against the International League’s Rochester Red Wings.
Long Island Ducks here he comes? The Reds released Paul Wilson earlier today. If Russ Ortiz can win a starting job, I’d like to think there’s a spot somewhere for Wilson, but said job probably isn’t with a big league affiliate.
A sore shoulder has the Dodgers’ Brad Penny ducking the Mets tonight ; a first inning manufactured run courtesy of Jose Reyes (single, 2 steals and a wild pitch) had Vin Scully comparing the Mets’ shortstop to Jackie Robinson. Da Edge, starting in RF tonight and hitting .381 on the spring, has almost certainly won a spot on the 25 man roster, guaranteeing if nothing else, Wally Matthews will have no shortage of material through early summer.