Just a quick update on recent IronPigs roster changes:
- Several days ago, INF Miguel Abreu was sent back to Reading from Lehigh Valley–prior to the road trip.
- C Carlos Ruiz, on Major League Rehab over the weekend, as activated to the Phillies, and played last night.
- To make room, C Steven Lerud was optioned to AAA Lehigh Valley.
- Today, C John Suomi was reassigned to AA Reading
- OF Derrick Mitchell was promoted to the IronPigs
- 3B Maikel Franco was promoted from A+ Clearwater to AA Reading
Discussion:
Abreu was an extra INF who was promoted to help out while Cesar Hernandez was with the Phillies. He wasn’t playing a ton in Reading with Cartwright and Duran getting much of the middle infield work. He didn’t play much with the IronPigs, either, but had a modicum of success and was observed working hard during batting practice and infield groups on Saturday.
Ruiz looked good over the weekend. And, while he didn’t hit the cover off the ball, did move around VERY well and reportedly felt very good. Additional games in Reading were not necessary, and the Phillies needed his bat and his glove right away. I think promoting him immediately was the correct decision. As you know, Chase Utley starts rehab in Reading tonight (it was to be last night, but was scrubbed because of the weather). He reportedly will need “several starts” but I wouldn’t count on him lasting until the IronPigs come home on Tuesday. Reading is home through Sunday, but if I had to guess, I’d say that Chase will be in the Phillies lineup by the Mets series starting Friday at Citizens Bank Park. I’d expect to get Michael Martinez back in the deal, unless they want to jettison another of the ineffective bullpen pieces.
And what of Carlos Zambrano? Well, by all accounts, it sounded like he raised his game a bit last night. He shut down a hot-hitting MudHens team, looked sharper doing it (less pitches) and was observed a few MPH faster on the gun (Toledo stadium gun). Pettibone is scheduled to pitch Friday versus the Mets, so Z won’t be ready to jump in there. It is assumed that if Zambrano is going to be of use to the Phillies, it would be in that spot. It will be interesting to see what happens. Lannan is the scheduled pitcher on Sunday when Z is due to pitch again. Zach Miner would be available for the ‘Pigs if need be should they want to push Lannan back to get Z in the rotation. All speculation on my part of course. At this point, they could keep Z to start versus Columbus on Sunday early evening, call him up (would need to be signed to the Major League roster–there are several 40-man moves that could be made to make room), or release him.
We welcome back Steven Lerud. He was not tremendously successful over the past few days in Philly, but he did have some experience up there from last season. He’s given the IronPigs some good defense and some really good at-bats this year. I’ve nothing against Suomi (the money), but happy to have Lerud back in the fold to go along with Rupp, who will probably get the majority of the time at C.
Our old friend Derrick Mitchell comes back to us from Reading. He was hitting .253 with 6 HR in 51 games before breaking his hand last season. He was really heating up when that happened, too–I remember he was kind of the hero of those Pawtucket games around the time of the day-night doubleheader last season. He didn’t hit well when he returned, though. Hand and wrist injuries always make me nervous for hitters. Derrick has hit .229 with 5HR in Reading this season, but has had to share time with Gillies, Collier, and Hewitt.
I added the Franco transaction, because he could be a reason to make the drive to Reading. He’s a top-5 kind of prospect rising up the system at 3B putting pressure on Cody Asche (who’s responded well, of course). He leads all Phillies minor league-ers with 16 HR in Clearwater. It will be interesting to see how he does in the usually HR-friendly Reading park.
See you at the park tonight for softball!
@Kram209
noisenation.mlblogs.com 