Phillies Notes: Bastardo, Ruf, Halladay

-Ruben Amaro addressed the Antonio Bastardo suspension with the media today. Amaro said Bastardo told him Sunday that something could happen in regards to the Biogenesis scandal. The Phillies GM did tell me that there really isn’t much else that can be done at an organizational level to combat things like this happening. There was no sign of Bastardo in the clubhouse; his locker had been cleaned out and nameplate removed.

-Darin Ruf gets a shot in right field, something he’s never done in his professional career. Most people realize that Dom Brown is the better candidate for right because of his athleticism and arm. However, what do the Phils really have to lose at this point? Try Ruf there, see if he can handle it. If he can’t maybe you make a change, maybe you put him back at first base where he belongs. This isn’t a team vying for a playoff spot that needs all the help it can and can ill afford a right fielder with no defensive acumen.

-Say bye-bye to Laynce Nix. The guy didn’t play well for the better part of this year, but if I’m Nix, I’m pissed. If anything, he deserved a look in a platoon with Delmon Young, if anything, to keep his bat fresh. Instead, he’s out the door. Now, I’m not saying he would have been an offensive savior, but I do believe it is tough to be a pinch hitter when you play as sparingly as Nix did.

-Amaro said Roy Halladay threw a bullpen session yesterday and could be on his way to a simulated game. Halladay was seeing swinging a bat before BP, a good sign. There is no timetable for a return.