A transaction of some note today in Lehigh Valley.  Left handed reliever Jake Woods was released and reliever Oscar Villareal was activated from the disabled list after spending the last year recovering from Tommy John surgery.  Villareal, a 29 year old righty, has spent parts of six seasons in the majors, amassing a career mark of 24-15 with a 3.86 ERA.  Villareal has made over 50 appearances in three major league seasons (03, 06, 07) and if recovered could be a help in a month or two in the Phillies bullpen.  Look for the Lehigh Valley full weekend report this evening.

With Wilson Valdez being called up to Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley was short an infielder, and called up 28 year old Melvin Dorta from Reading. Dorta has started slowly hitting just .176 thus far on the year, but is a career .269 hitter at the AAA level, spanning three seasons.  Filling Dorta’s role in Reading will be Keoni DeRenne.  Also, activated from the disabled list in Reading is Brian Stavisky, who takes over the roster spot of Quintin Berry as Berry recovers from his infection.

As expected, Jimmy Rollins was placed on the 15 day DL today with what is being described as a calf strain.  It was estimated that Rollins would miss anywhere from 2-4 weeks with the injury. Wilson Valdez was called up from Lehigh Valley to take Rollins spot on the active roster.  Valdez did have to be moved onto the 40 man roster, and the Phils now stand at the full compliment of 40. The 32 year old Valdez has spent parts of 4 seasons in the majors and is a career .222 hitter in the majors in 369 plate appearances.  Valdez, a career .299 hitter in AAA, saw some time with the Mets last season when Jose Reyes went down with his myriad of injuries.  He plays primarily SS, but can play 2B as well. Valdez started off the season very hot for Lehigh Valley hitting .455 in his 22 at bats.  Look for additional Minor League transactions today here if they become available.

The recent questions about the lack of playing time for Quintin Berry have been answered as the Reading OF has been placed on the DL with an infection.  No immediate information as to who will replace him on the Reading roster, but I would suspect it will be either Brian Stavisky, who is currently on the DL or Steve Susdorf, who is currently down in CLearwater.

As speculated, something wasn’t right with Reading reliever BJ ROsenberg, and it was specifically his right lat.  Rosenberg has been hit hard in both outings this season, and his last three if the exhibition against the “Pigs is included. He was placed on the DL today with a right lat strain according to Reading Phillies Media Relations Director Tommy Viola.  Schwimer and Stutes should be seeing most if not all save situations for the time being I would think.

At the end of an abbreviated Week One of the Minor League season, some general thoughts to get some discussion moving:

–In Lehigh Valley, Scott Mathieson is the name to talk about with 4 shutout innings over two appearances. Chris Duffy, has added spark to the top of the ‘Pigs order and is hitting .368 with 7 RBI’s through 4 games. John Mayberry is looking to get himself going at .167. A special note for those of you who look to argue about the 25th man on the Phils roster.  Wilson Valdez has started the year at .474 and has played well at SS thus far.

—Quintin Berry, still on the Phils 40 man roster. not only was dropped down to AA Reading from AAA at the end of camp, but now is seeing limited time for the RPhils.  Berry has played in just one of their first four games going 0-3. Domonic Brown is hitting .200 out of the gate while Freddy Galvis has turned some heads in the early going with both his bat (.294) and glove.  Some concern with the start of BJ Rosenberg who has been hit very hard in both of his outings thus far.  Continue reading First Week Observations →

A couple of quick points this Saturday evening.  Michael Schwimer earned his first save at the AA level pitching a 1-2-3 ninth against Portland in the 4-1 Reading victory.  Mike Cisco got the start and pitched well, giving up 1 run over his 6 innings of work.  After struggling in consecutive appearances, BJ Rosenberg has received consecutive nights off with Escalona getting the save last night and Schwimer following up this evening.

Down in Clearwater, JC Romero made his second rehab appearance and pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit, and struck out two.  Brad Lidge followed Romero and was hit around, giving up 4 runs on 3 hits, and also walked a batter before being removed in the second inning.

Fidel Hernadez got off to a strong start with 4 RBIs in the game, while Brian Gump and Troy Hanzawa each had 2 RBIs. Matt Rizzotti picked up the Threshers’ first HR of the year going 3-4 on the night, and Austin Hyatt held the Jays hitless going into the 7th until giving up a 2-run HR.

If you haven’t already signed up for the Threshers Nation Twitter feed go do it now to get live updates as the games happen all season. CLICK HERE for tonight’s boxscore.

Appologies first thing for my lack of Clearwater coverage the past year. I’ll try to participate as I can….

ESPN is reporting that the Phils have signed 35 year old RHP Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa spent last between the Buffalo Bison in AAA and the Mets, going 3-8 with a 4.09 ERA in 16 games (10 starts) for the Mets.  He worked 70.1 innings, walking 24 and striking out 59. (WHIP 1.48).  In Buffalo, Figueroa pitched very well for a horrible teeam, going 7-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 17 starts.  In 112 innings he walked 24 and struck out 94, and his WHIP stood at 1.02.  Figueroa joins a long list of starters circulating around Lehigh Valley and Extended Spring Training who have some major league experience.

Figueroa joins Brandon Duckworth back in the organization from the 2001 Phillies rotation.  Where is David Coggin when you need him.

There is an exhibition game scheduled tonight at Coca Cola Park in Allentown with Reading taking on Lehigh Valley.  Yohan FLande will be throwing for the RPhils, while Joe Savery gets the ball for the ‘Pigs.  Tickets remain for the 6:30 start at just $6 apiece.  It’s a nice opportunity for a first look at many of those on the Reading/Lehigh Valley rosters. Look for occasional updates here.

Opening Day starters have been announced by Lehigh Valley (Brian Mazone) as they open against Syracuse on Thursday, Reading (Vance Worley) who open at home against Portland as well as by Lakewood (Nicholas Hernandez)  who open Thursday in Asheville. 

Tonights lineups in Allentown:  For Reading: Gillies (CF), Galvis (SS), Brown (RF), Bozied (DH), Mahar (1B), Pinckney (3B), Dorta (2B), Gosewisch (C), Berry (LF).  For Lehigh Valley: Duffy (LF), Valdez (2B), Mayberry (RF), Tracy (1B), Ransom (3B), Wise (CF), Sellers (DH), Hoover (C), Bocock (SS). Continue reading Quick Notes, Exhibition Info →