Just a quick hit that Scott Mathieson left the Phillies today for Florida, to participate in the Florida Instructional League. Mathieson who has been on the DL, will be rehabbing from his lower back strain as well as continuing his work on the splitter.
22 thoughts on “Mathieson to the FIL”
Comments are closed.
Phuture Phillies 
Sure, everybody commends this guy for overcoming his arm surgeries to become a realistic candidate for the ’11 pen.
Yet some probably miss how much how much he had to work to get back to now. Still he is now going to the IL to refine the splitter. If there is an entry in Merriam-Webster dictionary, under the word “determined” or “workhorse” his picture should appear. Amazing guy. How can you not pull for him to complete his quest and become a 25-member opening the ’11 season.
Matty is a special guy.
LikeLike
He could still make an appearance yet with the big club. They tell those guys to be ready at anytime
LikeLike
If KK doesn’t do well next start, there is no use putting on the postseason roster especially if you are not going to sign him. That might open a spot.
LikeLike
I wish Charlie would use Worley more, especially in relief. After Lidge, Madson, Durbin and Contreras, there is no one else who is dependable.
LikeLike
Kelp you earned a ditto.
LikeLike
Baez may not make the roster either. The Phils will likely have an extra bat for the post season: meaning they will likely drop Herndon or Baez for the likes of Brown most likely if healthy. Kendrick will likely stay instead of Herndon. But Mathieson or Bastardo could find a spot if they don’t bring Baez along.
LikeLike
Bocock needs to get his feet wet and PP needs a little rest.
Btw The Lee and Halladay trades almost pale next to Oswalt and that is say a hell of a lot. If he keeps it up he may be the MVP.
INCREDIBLE
LikeLike
KK won’t be on the playoff roster for the first series even if he pitches a perfect game. No need to carry 5 starters in that first series.
LikeLike
I highly doubt Mathieson would make a post season roster. He hasn’t pitches in 3 weeks. I would keep Baez on the roster.
I think keeping Brown around was a disaster. He was making little contact, was shaky defensively, and then got hurt, probably because he wasn’t playing regularly. Not sure waht was gained by keeping him around, when everyone was healthy. Maybe 3 weeks in AAA and bringing him back made more sense.
LikeLike
I really expected Mathieson to be called up and possibly earn a post season spot. After Lidge, Madson, Durbin, Contrares, Romero there are some spots open.
KK will be the long relief option. He is better than Herndon or Worley and Bastardo is going to be more a lefty specialist. Plus he has some experience out of the bullpen in the past.
LikeLike
Anyone notice the Astros claimed Cesar Carillo from the Padres? This is the guy the Phillies claimed too and lost him back to the Pads after trying to remove him from the 40-man roster. You don’t think Eddie and Ruben are in cahoots do you?
LikeLike
Mathieson has zero chance of being on a post season roster. The didn’t trust using him in big situations during the regular season and he’s not going to get a chance in the post season.
The Phillies pitchers will most likely be:
Halladay – SP
Hamels – SP
Oswalt – SP
Blanton – (possibly gets a start depending on series)
Kendrick – Long-Man
Romero – LH
Bastardo – LH
Durbin – RH
Contreras – RH
Madson – RH
Lidge – Closer
There is no reason for the Phillies to carry more than 11 pitchers on the post-season roster. They can use the bench spots for situational players. Truth is that a guy like Bocock (is he eligible?) has a better chance of being on the roster than Matheison.
LikeLike
There is 0 chance that Mathieson earns a postseason roster spot. Actually, is there is a way to convey that he has less than a 0% chance? -1%? -10%?
C’mon guys, get over your man crushes on the guy and look at it realistically. If he had a chance to be on the postseason roster, wouldnt he have been used by the Phillies over the last month or so? Or even longer? Wouldn’t he have taken Baez or Herndon’s spot already?
Do you think they are trying to keep him a surprise? Like they are going to throw him on the postseason roster and then spring him on the rest of the National League playoff teams? Get real fellas, if he was good enough to be on the postseason roster, he would have been helping the big club during the stretch run. If anything, the Phillies are going to subtract an arm (so they can add an extra bat) from the roster for the playoffs, not add one that hasnt ever proved he can get major league hitters out and is injured, to boot.
LikeLike
3up3kkk probably has it right. Manuel is also know to favor the vets (Baez instead of Bastardo???) maybe. But having 2 leftys would be beneficial. Bocock is not likely to go unless Rollins is still a mess health wise. I look for Brown for pinchrunner/hitter with some pop over the likes of Bocock and Dobbs.
Basically I forsee when the Phils do clinch (I would think they will within a few days) it will be a chance for a number to battle for a roster spot:
Bocock
Dobbs
Brown
Mayberry
Hoover
(only 1 spot available, inside track to Brown)
pitchers:
Bastardo
Herndon
Baez
Worley
Zagurski
Mathieson
Kendrick
(maybe 2 spots)
inside track to Kendrick and Baez with Bastardo’s left arm an advantage to him
LikeLike
Reason I have Bastardo over Baez is because I expect the Phillies will want to have 2 lefties avaialble in the pen. Personally I would take Brown over Dobbs but I don’t expect Manual will do that based on Dobb’s experience in the playoffs with the team.
For position players, I expect the extra men to be Gload, Dobbs, Sweeney, Valdez, Francisco, and Schneider.
Gives them 3 lefties/3 righties off the bench.
LikeLike
If Dobbs is hitting a bit better (as he was in LV), he may be the right choice for this year’s post season. His experience will keep him on amore even keel than Brown, who has already shown that he has not made the mental adjustment yet to the majors (several ABs where he was too anxious and went down meekly). Post season will be that much tougher to adjust to national limelight. He is so talented he could come through once or twice, but it could also be a very tough experience for a new guy. Better next year when he has had some extended success in bigs.
This would be about the only time that Dobbs would be the better choice. Once Brown gets his MLB legs, the difference will be huge.
LikeLike
I think the last bench spot will go to Brown, Dobbs, Mayberry, or possibly Bocock if Rollins health remains in question. I believe the rule is if a guy gets hurt during a series and they have to replace him, he must sit out the next series. Phils could be caught short at SS if Rollins were to go down and Bocock was not on the roster. That could also give Dobbs an edge as he can play third and Polanco short in an emergency. I believe Dobbs, Mayberry, and Brown will get some AB’s during the last week and Charlie is likely to go with the hot hand.
Also think Bastardo will get some time against lefties during the last week and if he looks okay, they’ll go with him. The last pitching spot will be between KK, Baez, Herndon, and Worley. Believe KK and Herndon are long shots in round 1 with the nod going to Baez or Worley based on who is throwing better the last week. Believe KK will be used in NLCS and/or WS because Blanton will be used out of pen in NLDS.
LikeLike
I agree with 3up3kkk. I want to add that Dobbs’ advantage over Brown is that he plays 3B, which would be important if Rollins is not close to 100%. Bocock’s best chance is if Rollins cannot play at all. Brown’s best chance is if Rollins is 100%, and his speed as a pinch-runner becomes more important than Dobbs’ infield ability.
LikeLike
Green as grass but I dont think you can proceed without Bocock. Can you really say Dobbs plays thirdbase without grimacing. Even if Rollins plays his condition is iffy/
LikeLike
Interesting comments about Bocock. However, I think there’s a good chance that J. Roll will be healed by the time the postseason begins. Still, the lack of an extra back-up means that you will really have to either hold Valdez out of games (so he is available), or make sure that if he enters a game, he does not leave (so he can slide over to short in case of an injury). If the Phils go up big in any game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Valdez come in during the late innnings.
However, if Rollins is out and injured, I think Bocock really does have to be on the roster. Very weird, but it makes sense.
LikeLike
Good discussion on possible post season rosters.
Last spot is Dobbs vs Brown. Both seem like poor pinch hitter options. Agree that Dobbs ability to play 3B (better than Sweeney?) may beat out Brown’s pinch run ability. I would not feel comfortable asking Brown to steal a base and am not confident in his decision making on the basepaths yet.
Think pitchers for each series will be Kendrick and Bastardo. Another lefty is almost necessary and Bastardo was on the playoff roster last season. In my opinion, Kendrick is certainly better than any other bullpen option left (including Worley) and can pitch long innings.
LikeLike
Brown is not a pinch hitter, his pinch hitting is terrible and his base running is inconsistance. His hitting in the majors is not good. Brown is not a good major league player, he is a minor league player. He needs more time in the minors. He should have already been sent back down.
Dobbs over Brown.
LikeLike