Brett's Back With Something to Prove

Former starter will pitch in relief

Pitcher Brett Myers will return to the Phillies Friday about three months after hip surgery and he has plenty to prove.

Myers, the Phillies Opening Day starter, will boost the bullpen, according to MLB.com. He will return to the pen for the first time since he took over as the Phillies closer during the 2007 season.

Myers, 29, went down in late May with a torn hip labrum that required surgery that could have kept Myers out for the rest of the season. But, the big righty quickly recovered so he could rejoin the Phils.

On his road to recovery Myers made six minor-league rehab appearances. He pitched eight innings allowing only one run while striking out an impressive 14 batters.

The last step to his return was pitching back-to-back games, which Myers did earlier this week for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

"The hip aspect, I think that was fine about a month ago, honestly," Myers said to MLB.com. "But the arm aspect, to go back-to-back was reassuring for me just to know that I could bounce back and be able to throw back-to-back games. I think that was probably the last step."

Charlie Manuel plans on using Myers as a sixth or seventh inning reliever for now but would be willing to work him into the back end of the bullpen, the Phillies skipper told the Inquirer.

Myers return should be welcomed news for any Phillies fan considering that guys like Chad Durbin and Tyler Walker were being trusted in big situations but the move is even better because Myers definitely has something to prove in the pen.

Myers will be a free agent after this season. He never really lived up to the $25.75 million deal that he signed prior to the ’07 season going 19-23 overall and never posting an ERA lower than 4.33.

Add to his inconsistency on the mound Myers getting dropped to minors last season, the Boston street incident with his wife and the recent black-eye story and Myers is anything but a sure bet for a potential suitor.

Unless he is lights out the rest of the way it will be tough in these dire economic times to see any Major League team offering Myers a contract anywhere close to the nearly $8.6 million per year that he currently earns.

So for now Brett has something to prove and hopefully the Phillies reap the benefits.

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