Grapefruiting: Rosario Lost To DL
One of the better stories of the spring has landed on the DL. Francisco Rosario, according to Todd Zolecki, is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. He pitched well — for the most part — and was a finalist for one of the final bullpen spots.
After Chad Durbin seemingly won a spot today, two spots remained open. Despite Pat Gillick’s admission that the final spots were coming from the outside, Rosario seemed primed to possibly gain one of the spots. Now it’s down to Travis Blackley, Clay Condrey, Vic Darensbourg and JD Durbin. Blackley struggled today; Condrey may sneak in; Darensbourg was an outside shot but looks better each day; Durbin is weak.
With this latest happening, it seems a few things could happen:
- Durbin would grab one of the two spots because of his right-handed status.
- Condrey and Darensbourg would get the final spots.
- Darensbourg would get one spot, with another coming from outside the organization.
It’s hard to tell what will happen; I’m content with Condrey and Darensbourg as a short-term solution (both have been good enough this spring). But once June rolls around, this bullpen had better look completely different; as it stands, middle relief remains the Phillies major weakness.
Mike Zagurski and Scott Mathieson joined Rosario on the DL, retroactive to March 21 (the last time Rosario pitched). Zagurski and Mathieson aren’t surprise additions — both could be ready for action by late-May.
