Domonic Brown is back!

The Domonic Brown era has resumed in Philadelphia. With the placement of Shane Victorino on the disabled list, the Phillies have called up Brown, who has been recovering from a broken hand since spring training. The Phils were apparently hesitant to call up Brown, who hit .341 in Triple A, but with the offense struggling over the last few weeks, he was the only useful piece they could call on. I would expect Brown to spend the rest of the season with the Phils and work his way into one of the starting outfield spots sooner rather than later.

In another roster move, the Phillies called up David Herndon and sent down Scott Mathieson. This move is just a precursor to Joe Blanton eventually being placed on the disabled list and Vance Worley being recalled.

Jason Giambi (??) single-handedly destroys the Phillies

Thursday was turn back the clock night for Jason Giambi, who seemingly took a time machine back to the year 2000 before facing the Phillies. In his first three at-bats, Giambi crushed home runs deep into the ballpark as he accounted for all 7 runs in the Rockies 7-1 win.

Remarkably, entering Thursday's game against the Phils, Giambi had just one homer on the season and 4 total RBI in 31 plate appearances. In just 3 swings, the 40 year old not only more than doubled those totals but he also saw his batting average jump from .115 to .194.

Giambi's performance was the only notable performance from an otherwise soggy and nondescript game. The Phillies offense was its typical punchless self while the pitching was everything you would expect from a game that Kyle Kendrick was forced to start. Kendrick, who took over for Joe Blanton after he was scratched from the start, put the Phillies behind immediately in the first inning when Giambi hit his first home run.

As for Blanton and his injury, don't be surprised to see Big Joe land on the disabled list soon due to his wonky elbow. With Vance Worley waiting to take over his rotation spot, there is no reason for the Phils to worry about whether Blanton can answer the bell in four days. Given Worley's numbers this season, he has done more than enough to earn a start every 5th day.

Things don't get any easier for the Phillies as the Texas Rangers come to town tomorrow for the start of Interleague play. While the Phils still cling to the best record in the NL, that will change if the offense doesn't wake up during the next seven games against the Rangers and the Reds.
(AP PHOTO)

Blanton back in usual form in return from DL

In what can only be called an adequate effort, Joe Blanton was victorious in his return from the disabled list as the Phillies beat the Marlins, 6-4. Blanton, who hadn't pitched since April 23rd due to elbow issues, pitched 5 spotty innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. While it wasn't exactly pretty, it was good enough to keep the Phillies in the game, which is about all we can expect from big Joe.

When he's healthy, Blanton may never dominate on the mound but he's certainly good enough to pitch 6 or 7 innings and give up something in the range of 3 to 5 runs. If the Phillies lineup can give him any kind of support, like they did Monday night, he should be good enough to win about half of his games. That's pretty decent for a number 5 starter.

The Marlins did their fair share to lose this game, from baserunning mistakes to fielding gaffes to poor pitching. With a below-average lineup and a rotation with only one stud, they hardly look like a team that is going to compete in the NL East. Still, expect a great game tomorrow as the two best pitchers in the NL, Josh Johnson and Roy Halladay, face off. First team to score a run wins?
(AP PHOTO)

Phillies place Blanton on DL, call up Worley

In a move that seemingly came from nowhere, the Phillies have announced that Joe Blanton, who was supposed to start tomorrow against the Mets, will go on the disabled list due to a medial impingement in his right elbow. In his place, the Phillies have called up Vance Worley, who will immediately join the rotation and will face the Mets tomorrow.

There had been no news about Blanton being injured until today and there is no information about how long he will be out. The injury doesn't seem too serious, with surgery not a likely option, so Blanton could be out for just a short time. While he is out, the Phillies don't figure to drop off to much with Worley. Besides the fact that Blanton hasn't exactly lit the world on fire this year, Worley was very good in the 2 starts the Phillies gave him last year, posting a 1.38 ERA and .923 WHIP. While those numbers are not going to continue, there is no reason why Worley can't give the Phils 6 solid innings each start.

The disabled list just continues to grow for the Phillies, as Blanton joins fellow pitchers Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge on the DL. Add in Chase Utley and Dominic Brown, plus the recent injury to Carlos Ruiz, and the Phillies have a ton of talent just sitting on the sidelines. The fact that they are still in first place without all of these guys is a real testament to their starting pitching.