Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta is on track to make his first start with the club on April 8, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Arrieta’s going to miss the first week-plus of the season because he’s not yet in game shape, having gone without a contract in free agency until the Phillies handed him a three-year, $75MM guarantee on March 12. The former Cubs star will join Aaron Nola atop Philly’s rotation when he does debut with the team.
- In not-so-good news for the Phillies, righty Pat Neshek is fearful that the shoulder strain which forced him to the disabled list could “be something serious,” the reliever informed Matt Breen of Philly.com and other media. The 37-year-old Neshek added that this is the first time he has dealt with this type of injury. “And that’s what’s kind of weirding me out a little bit,” he continued. “But it’s something like, if I had to pitch today, I know I could. But I’m more worried about how it’s going to progress over the next couple weeks.” Neshek was the recipient of a two-year, $16.25MM deal in the offseason. Teammate and fellow reliever Tommy Hunter also landed a two-year deal (for an even richer $18MM). Both pitchers opened the season on the DL, though, with Hunter battling a hamstring strain.
- Padres corner outfielder Wil Myers has been dealing with back trouble over the past couple weeks, and it kept him out of the lineup Saturday. It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury, however, as manager Andy Green told reporters including AJ Cassavell of MLB.com that Myers’ issue is “a day-to-day thing at most.” Myers suggested that moving from his previous position, first base, to the outfield has had a detrimental effect on his back in the early going. “I need to work on my posture a little more,” Myers said. “Playing a new position kind of wears on you a little bit. I’ll be fine, going to keep working to get it better. Before too long, it’ll be gone.” Myers, who began his major league career in 2013 as an outfielder, spent the previous two seasons as a first baseman. He moved back to the grass in the offseason to accommodate Eric Hosmer, whom the Padres signed to an eight-year, $144MM contract in free agency.
- Yovani Gallardo signed a major league deal with the Reds on Saturday, but they weren’t the only team that pursued the right-hander. Gallardo told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic and other reporters that he garnered offers from other clubs before joining the Reds (though it’s unclear whether those were big league proposals). He’s now in position to return to regular-season action in the NL Central, where he pitched with the Brewers from 2007-14. Gallardo has collected plenty of experience at the Reds’ Great American Ballpark as a result, having made 15 starts there, Rosecrans notes.
Gallardo to bullpen.
That’s how you know the reds are in “idc mode”. Signing a horrific gallardo to a major league contract.
There’s just so much potential for failure given Gallardo’s metrics over the past 3 years and the fact he’s pitching in GABP. Definitely a scenario where One expects the worst and hopes for the best.
The Kapler experiment is not going so well so far. What kind of analytic is it that says use 21 pitchers in the first 3 games of the season or to bring in RP’s without them warming up. I wasn’t excited when they hired him….now I am downright afraid.
Well, Velasquez was an absolute nightmare today. I don’t know If you can judge him for any moves made today. VV is a reliever long term for sure. I remember when the ken Giles trade looked like a win for the Phillies…
I have been a Phillies fan since before Dick Allen was RoY and I have never seen a manager call for a pitching change without anyone warming up. I have seen a manager call for a lefty with 2 RHP’s warming up but never an empty pen. I guess he was just that upset with VV /s
Sorry but I am not impressed so far. I know it’s early but pulling Nola after 68 pitches? Really. Gabe talks a good game but so far the Phils look a but sloppy….like they didn’t even work on basics in ST.
I understand and appreciate te idea of pulling a pitcher before they face a team for the third time. The statistics are compelling. However, the game does not exist in a vacuum. (Putting aside Arrieta) When you have one great starting pitcher and your other for starting pitchers are questionable at best you really need to ride your ace when you can because the probability that you will NEES to use your bullpen in those other games is sooo high. If you has two guys like Nola and a very solid 3 then that’s different. After Nola the rotation gets sooooo questionable.
I’ve been nervous about him since day 1. But I was nervous about Charlie Manual in the beginning as well. Remember him forgetting he had to pinch hit for the pitcher because he was used to the al, but he worked out in the end.
I didn’t see the game,but looking at the box score,Nola should’ve atleast been able to go for the quality start.
As far as Kapler, it’s been three games and he’s without both his high-priced bullpen guys who were supposed to bolster the end of games. I think we could give him a larger sample than three games
Plus 2 of his better BP guys being on the shelf right now doesn’t help! Look likes a long season in Philly.
I like that I was wrong….plus I was actually wrong on why I was nervous about him. I thought the year he managed in the minors was with the Dodgers,and then he got bumped up to the front office,and then Dodgers started calling around trying to get him hired.Teams don’t typically call teams telling them to take their best.
Gabe drinks Riot Punch for breakfast… and lunch… and dinner… cause no one would make these moves sober
The Phillies postgame show was great fun. They are in open rebellion against Gabe Kapler, actually mocking him without a supportive word.
I’ve never seen this kind of reception for a Phillies manager. It usually takes more than a season of failure to get to this point.
I think part of it is of all sports tradition reigns in fans’ minds and Kapler’s desire to do new and different things troubles people, I think something about his manner is off-putting to people, and coupled with immediately losing arguably due to a non-traditional decision makes people extra pissed. But also he’s flat out made glaring mistakes that have nothing to do with decisions being traditional or not. People also have had wildly overly optimistic expectations for this team’s roster of pitchers, I’ve never understood what it’s based on, and that issue isnt Kapler’s fault. Nola, Arrieta, Neris, Neshek…other than them idk what track record of excellence makes anyone else seem more than possible mediocre. Doesnt mean they wont excel but the ultimately who are these guys?
Unfortunately people put too much stock in “experts” prospects rankings and projections. Some players will take more time and some will never live up to expectations. Phillies May be 1-2 more years away from when experts predicted
Phillies 2018 mentality: Pitcher sneezes, oh take him out, time for a bullpen change
The Phils are hardly alone in this department. Have you guys been watching the rest of the league?
There’s probably more to Myers’ back issues than just his “posture”. He’s been allegedly having these issues for a couple of weeks and only now it’s coming out?
A couple weeks…you mean, when they signed Hosmer and moved him back to the outfield? 😛
Seriously. the second myers moves back to the outfield he turns back into the glass man.
He’s drama queen chronic bad wrist and now his posture.
Phillies season done after 3 games. Kapler is a mess
It’s obvious listening to Kapler that he’s a great motivator and solid leader, but he needs to focus on his weakness which is managing in game. Maybe he’ll grow with the team in that regard, but he needs to fully understand and master the wheel itself before attempting to reinvent it.