Multiple sources are reporting that John Mayberry has been sent back to Lehigh Valley after just 2 at bats with the big club.  Though not confirmed, the same sources are speculating that it will be a pitcher called up to take his spot on the Phillies roster.  If so, the obvious candidates are Scott Mathieson and Antonio Bastardo, with Bastardo being the more likely candidate because of his success and the struggles of JC Romero.

Some interesting comments from Gorm Heimueller, The Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator during a recent conversation he had with Greg Giombarrese, the Lakewood BlueCLaws Media Relations Manager.  Check out the entire conversation at http://blog.blueclaws.com/. 

On Trevor May’s latest outing: “He has looked alot more under control, except maybe the first inning on Monday. Not that many times can you throw 35 pitches in an inning, not give up a run and nobody hits a fair ball. The most encouraging thing, with the long inning, he regrouped and gave us five more solid innings…A lot of those games he wasn’t taken out because of getting hit, but they were pitch counts. The other day, he threw 35 in the first but ended up with just 94.” Continue reading Comments from Gorm Heimueller, Minor League Pitching Coordinator →

Update: Rizzotti is in the Lehigh Valley lineup for this evenings game, playing first base and hitting cleanup.

Matt Rizzotti probably the most talked about player on this site currently, was promoted from AA Reading to AAA Lehigh Valley today, making it his third level of play this year. Rizzotti was originally the Phillies 6th round selection in the 2007 draft out of Manhatten College.  He played primarily first base, while seeing significant time as the RPhils DH as well. Rizzotti is currently the Eastern League leader in batting average (.362) and comes in with the very impressive line of .362/.451/.638 during his time with Reading this year. On the year, Rizzotti is hitting a combined .361 with 17 HR and 71 RBI in 107 games between Clearwater and Reading.

The Floral Park, Ny native, a lefty, should see regular playing time for Lehigh Valley during the seasons last month.

The Phillies announced last evening that Jared Cosart will be shut down for the rest of the season after suffering from continued elbow soreness.  He last pitched on June 26, and visited with Dr. James Andrews, a week or two ago.  The good news from the visit with Dr. Andrews, is that the elbow does not require surgery. Cosart, 20, was 7-3 with a 3.79 ERA in his 14 starts this year.  Opponents hit just .224 against him, and he was striking out well over a hitter per each inning pitched.  The Phils hope to have him ready for the Florida Instructional League in the Fall.

The ever evolving Phillies injury situation took another turn for the worse today with Ryan Howard being placed on the 15 day DL with his sprained ankle.  To take his place on the Phillies roster, the Phils called up OF John Mayberry, 26,  from AAA Lehigh Valley.  Mayberry, a right-handed bat,  has been up and down this year for Lehigh Valley. In his 383 AB’s, he is hitting .258/.321/.410 with 12 HR 54 RBI and 13 SB.  He has hit lefties at a .319 clip, while hitting only .240 vs. rhp. He has a 7% bb rate, while striking out at a 21% rate. With the lefty heavy Phils lineup, Mayberry may see a start or two in the OF, while first base looks to be a platoon between Ross Gload and Cody Ransom until Howard returns.