BJ Rosenberg Gets the Call, Valdes to LV

As first reported by David Murphy, BJ Rosenberg, 26, will join the Phillies today in Baltimore replacing the optioned lefty Raul Valdes. Rosenberg was 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 20.2 IP at Lehigh Valley and 11.3 K/9 IP. The addition of Rosenberg gives them a righty with strikeout capability. Rosenberg was on the fast track to the Phillies before injuries slowed down his 2010 and 2011 campaigns. Rosenberg, in his fifth year in the Phillies system out of the University of Louisville, will wear #53.

Thoughts: Valdes was quite effective in his limited time on the Phillies. In 12.2 IP, Valdes posted a 2.13 ERA with 9.2 K/9 IP. Valdes traditionally has posted a “reverse” split and there was no difference this year – righties hit .130/.167/.174 against Valdes in 24 PA.While I am really happy that Rosenberg was called up and think he can be effective on the Major League-level, I do not think Valdes was the right player to go down. I know Valdes has options and Chad Qualls doesn’t but how can you demote Valdes with as effective stats as he has and keep Qualls on the team with a 5.32 ERA and 1.636 WHIP?