Here are a few exclusive insider updates on some players in the Philadelphia developmental system.
-The Double A Reading Phillies have made a move with their pitching staff, moving 26-year-old Canadian Chris Kissock into the bullpen this week, after he surrendered 6 earned runs in 3 innings in his last start. Kissock had posted a 1-4 record and a 6.81 ERA in 7 starts this season. Filling the void in the team’s rotation will be 25-year-old BJ Rosenberg, who previously helped solidify a strong bullpen for the R-Phils. Rosenberg, had never started as a professional, but Reading manager Mark Parent expressed some confidence in the decision to switch the two righty hurlers’ roles.
“Well, we want to get Kissock back in a role that is comfortable and that he was real successful in. BJ will be able to throw more innings and continue to improve his secondary stuff, which is improving all the time,” Parent said on Friday.
In his first start on Friday night, Rosenberg, who was selected by the Phillies in the 13th round of the 2008 draft, allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run over 4 innings while walking 1, striking out 5. Rosenberg did not record a decision.
Under normal circumstances Mike Cisco would have taken the vacancy, but the right-hander was placed on the disabled list on Friday with an elbow strain in his throwing arm.
-Travis “Moose” Mattair has been on the disabled list since early this month with a strained oblique. Mattair is progressing well but still has some time before returning to the active roster for the High A Level Clearwater Threshers.
Mattair offered some comments on his recovery: “Rehab has been going really well lately. I’m improving every day. The training staff has me progressing at the perfect rate.”
The 2nd round pick in the 2007 amateur draft has been throwing pain-free and expects to take ground balls and some swings on Saturday. Mattair’s time frame for a return to action is likely by the time the Threshers begin their next home stand on May 31st. Mattair says he will play in 3-4 extended spring training games prior to re-joining the active Threshers roster.
-Right-handed reliever Mike McGuire will see his first extended spring training game action on Saturday. McGuire, who pitched with Class A Lakewood last season had vascular surgery in the off-season after discovering a serious blood clot in his non-pitching arm while performing a routine workout at his local gym.
The surgery required the removal of McGuire’s first rib to clear room in the problem area for circulation.
The 24-year-old McGuire describes his recovery as positive and says his shoulder has been feeling good.
McGuire, a Swarthmore, PA native who grew up as a Phillies fan, stands 6-feet-7-inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds.
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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
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