Sources: Phils tab Kendrick as ‘very touchable’
Sources tell PhillyGameday.com that the Phillies have designated Kyle Kendrick as a ‘very touchable’ prospect. The source indicated that the team wants to make clear that he is not among the list of off-limit prospects and would prefer to include him in any deal for anyone at all.
Though the news has yet to be confirmed by the Phillies, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. did adress the media on Thursday about being anxious to dump players on other teams.
“There are some ‘extremely touchables’ in our system,” Amaro said. “There are players we would like to keep for our future and then there are guys we would cram in a basket and leave at another team’s front door. I won’t name drop, but let’s be real here. . . you know exactly who I’m talking about.”
Kendrick called up just in time to ruin everyone's night
Kyle Kendrick was about two minutes away from not being able to blow last night’s game, but arrived just in time due to a few miracles pulled off by the Phillies front office.
Kendrick had been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh valley earlier in the day to replace the injured Scott Eyre, but the righthander had a difficult time getting to the ballpark.
2:03 PM – Kendrick receives the news that he will be added to the 25-man roster for Friday’s game.
2:28 PM – Kendrick leaves Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA and heads for Citizens Bank Park.
3:14 PM – Kendrick hits a ridiculous amount of traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and phones Ruben Amaro that he may be a little late for the game. Amaro assures him that the traffic will clear up soon.
8:31 PM – Kendrick, having only moved 629 feet since his last call, informs Amaro once again that the traffic situation is out of control and he may miss the game and even offers to turn around and not show up for the game at all. Amaro says “be cool Ace, help is on the way.”
8:39 PM – A four-car police escort arrives to guide Kendrick to the game.
9:21 PM – Kendrick loses his police escort when four fools who can’t drive in the rain plow into them, narrowly missing Kendrick’s car.
9:58 PM – After trying to drive the rest of the way on his own, Kendrick runs into more traffic, 16 miles from the ballpark. He calls Amaro again to tell him to just call the whole thing off and just let Eric Bruntlett pitch in his place because he would probably do just as well. Amaro voices to someone next to him about a “code orange” and that “getting Kendrick to the park is now our number one priority.” Amaro tells Kendrick to “get out of your car and look toward the sky” and hangs up.
10:09 PM – An AH64-A Apache Helicopter arrives on the scene to pick Kendrick up and air lift him the rest of the way to Citizens Bank Park.
10:13 PM – Kendrick finally arrives at Citizens Bank Park, just in time to head out to the bullpen.
10:21 PM – Kendrick enters the game.
10:39 PM – Kendrick gives up three runs in the top of the 13th.
11:10 PM – Kendrick takes the loss and ruins everyone’s night.
Hamels lit up in debut; Suddenly Myers' opening night start doesn't look half bad
Cole Hamels made his season debut against the Rockies on Friday and was Eaton’d (v. – to have your face beaten in on the mound and get taken out of the game with zero dignity and your tail tucked neatly between your legs) to the tune of allowing 11 hits and seven earned runs in only 3.2 innings in the 10-3 loss.
Hamels was the latest Phillie to take the hill and get Eaton’d worse than the previous night’s starter. Brett Myers kicked the season off allowing a minuscule four runs in six innings followed by Jamie Moyer’s ho-hum four runs in five innings of work. Joe Blanton took it up a notch by allowing seven runs in only four innings of work, then Hamels was like “You think that was pathetic? Check this out” and proceeded to post the worst outing by a Phils starter to date.
“Getting Eaton’d out there night after night is tough,” said Rich Dubee. “At this point, we’ll settle for a Kendricking. What…too soon?”
Kendrick's philanthropy hurting chances of joining rotation
Kyle Kendrick continued his charity work on the mound by giving up eight earned runs in only three innings today against the Braves. The two-year vet is currently battling for the final spot in the Phillies rotation with Chan Ho Park, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco, but it appears he is more interested in helping others get through this rough economy.
“I thought about how I could either pitch my butt off this spring and win a job, or I could let a couple guys tee off on me and help them earn jobs,” Kendrick said following Wednesday’s outing. “I’ve got a couple more starts to prove I’m capable of getting fringe minor leaguers out. In the meantime, if I have to give up two homers to a guy that hit one all last season [Clint Sammons] to help him earn a living, then I’m happy to help.”