The Phightin Phils haven’t shown much of a fight for the last month or so and it seems that the time to shake things up is now.
The Phillies recalled Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list Tuesday -- no surprise there. But they also designated veteran pinch-hitting specialist Greg Dobbs for assignment, according to Phillies.com.
But the Phils weren’t done moving and shaking. They brought back burly lefty Mike Zagurski and sent starting catcher Carlos Ruiz to the disabled list with a concussion.
Rollins was out with a calf injury that has cost him all but 12 games this season. His return meant a move was needed but backup middle infielders Juan Castro or Wilson Valdez seemed more likely to go than Dobbs.
But alas Dobbs was expendable with the emergence of fellow lefty pinch hitting specialist Ross Gload. The fact he was batting a paltry .152 with only one homer and six RBI including a 1-for-25 pinch hitting performance made the move easier for the Phillies.
Dobbs is due $1.35 million this season. He could now be traded or picked up by another squad on waivers. If after 10 days he remains unclaimed he could be sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to rediscover his swing, said Phillies.com.
One guy certain to land in Triple-A was righty Scott Mathieson. The 26-year-old reliever's return to the Majors lasted only one game before he was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.
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The real story in this entire transaction wire act could really be Zagurski.
Zags posted a 1-0 record and 5.91 ERA in 25 games for the 2007 Phillies but was kind of forgotten after spending the past couple seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“You know he hasn't given up a run since April?” mused Beerleaguer.
No, we didn’t. And with the bullpen reeling after a shellacking against the Twins Saturday they could use a live arm.
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