Phillies acquire Bowker from the Pirates

08/30/2011

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By Kevin K

The Philadelphia Phillies found a left handed bat off the bench in OF/1B John Bowker of the Pirates.

Phillies will trade away a player to be named later or cash considerations for Bowker.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSN, "Bowker, 28, has played parts of four seasons in the majors with San Francisco and Pittsburgh. He is a lifetime .237 hitter with 17 homers in 561 big-league at-bats. He spent 19 games with the Pirates this season and hit just .235. Bowker has spent the bulk of the season at Triple A Indianapolis, where he was hitting .308 with 15 homers and 76 RBIs in 105 games.

During his time in the majors, Bowker hit .301 (22 for 73) with four doubles, two triples and a homer in pinch-hitting situations."

This move gives you a Left Handed bat off the bench, something the Phillies really need after not knowing how healthy Ross Gload (hip) is. Both players have the versatility to play the OF and 1B.

To make room for Bowker, the Phillies sent RP Michael Schwimer to the minors.
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Injury Updates: Lidge, Schneider, Victorino

05/30/2011

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Injury Updates
By Kevin K

Updates thanks to Todd Zolecki

Lidge and Schneider

P Brad Lidge and C Brian Schneider continue their rehab process in Clearwater. Brad Lidge is scheduled to pitch in an extended Spring Training game on Tuesday .

Schneider is "progressing as tolerated".

Neither player has a set date for them playing in rehab games.

Victorino

The Phillies could have their everyday lineup together for the first time Friday if center fielder Shane Victorino continues to progress. He went 0-for-4 Sunday in a rehab game with Class A Lakewood.

Victorino, who is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, will not play Monday, but is scheduled to play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Double-A Reading.

The Phillies will evaluate him following Thursday's game. If he feels fine, he could be activated before Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Who goes down?

As mentioned, Victorino could come off the DL on Friday to play the Pirates. The big question has been who goes down to the minors when Victorino returns.

According to reports, RF Ben Francisco still has one option left and could be sent to Triple A. Other options could be Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. Do not expect Michael Martinez to go anywhere, being that he is a Rule 5 pick.

Another option could be putting the injured Ross Gload on the DL. Gload has not had much play off the bench and has been playing with an injured hip. He is hitting .306 on the season with 4 RBI. He said he does not think a trip to the disabled list would be beneficial, because the tear cannot heal in a few weeks. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel certainly hopes Gload can remain a late-inning weapon for him.


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Phillies Acquire Mike Sweeney

08/05/2010

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Phillies Acquire Sweeney
By Kevin K

When Ruben Amaro made the move to acquire Mike Sweeney from the Mariners it showed that he was not giving up on this team.  The acquisition of first baseman Mike Sweeney helps the Phillies in a replacement for Howard while on the DL and gives the Phillies a right handed bat off the bench, something they really needed.

Sweeney is expected to start at first base while Howard is on the DL, but expect him to platoon with Ross Gload (left handed bat).

With the Mariners in 2010, Sweeney was batting .263 with 6 HR, 18 RBI, and 11 Runs. Sweeney was placed on the 15 Day DL on June 26, 2010 with Back Spasms and was traded because the Mariners are top heavy at 1B/DH types.

The Phillies traded a player to be named later and/or cash considerations for Sweeney.

Sweeney will wear Number 5 for the Phillies.


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