Lieber Could Miss Rest of Season

After tweaking his ankle in Wednesday night's game, the updated injury report on Jon Lieber is that he has a ruptured tendon in his foot. If the injury requires surgery, Lieber will be out for the rest of the season; if it doesn't, he'll still miss about 2 months. With Freddy Garcia also on the long-term shelf, the Phillies' once deep rotation is in shambles. There's a possibility that when Brett Myers returns from the DL (near the All-Star Break), he could return to his starting role, but word is he's more likely to resume closing responsibilities. There's also a chance the Phillies will have to deal for starting help, because the chances of pulling another Kyle Kendrick out of their hats are slim. Don't think they won't try the magic show first though:

At least initially, the vacancies will be filled with minor leaguers, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. The Phillies will need starters for one game of Friday’s doubleheader and Saturday’s game against the New York Mets.

Left-hander J.A. Happ (1-2, 3.90 ERA in 12 starts at Class AAA Ottawa), the top in-house candidate, is pitching again after missing two weeks with elbow tendinitis. Other possibilities are right-hander J.D. Durbin (2-4, 4.92 ERA in nine starts at Ottawa) and 20-year-old right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who made his Class AA debut last week.

It’s unclear if the Phillies can add payroll through trades. They passed last week on acquiring lefty Mike Maroth, traded Friday by the Detroit Tigers to the Cardinals for a player to be named.

Not the best news to hear with the Mets coming to town at the end of the week.

>>Phils' Lieber May Be Out for Season [Delaware Online]

Comments

[Ian]

The quality of those three are worth taking a look at before the late July trading rush.

I like the idea of taking a look at Carrasco even though he’s only 20. He is the top prospect of the group and even though this is a possible rush job, he has a fully developed change to go with a fast ball and curve. He is the kind of guy who can get hot and be part of a pennant drive, even though the most risky because of age. Whether he’s ready to go or he gets psyched out, you might as well find that out in early July.

I don’t think Happ hasn’t been extended to 80-100 pitches since the injury but he is a lefty with a deceptive motion and a change, which means he can perhaps do better the first time through the league. Lefty finesse pitchers often get hammered early in their career tho and then settle down like Mr. Moyer.

Durbin is ready to do whatever he’s going to do and he’s got good stuff – they ought to take a look at him and he might fit into the bullpen mess. In general, I believe that Montgomery and Giles are too hesitant to use unproven relievers while other teams (like the Braves) use whoever gets hot and this works for them. The Cards used Wainwright as the World Series closer as a rookie which worked out fine but the Phils would never contemplate that.

I would start Yoel Hernandez Friday afternoon and then call up Carrasco Saturday.