The Phillies have put centerfielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list with a calf strain. Victorino injured his calf scoring on a passed ball in the fifth inning of last night’s 7-1 victory over the Cubs. Even though Victorino came out to start the 6th inning, and batted in the bottom of the 6th, he was replaced by Geoff Jenkins (who went to right field, Jayson Werth shifted to center), and the injury was announced.
Given he was placed on the DL, Victorino will miss at least 15 games, but given his past history with calf injuries, a month might be more likely.
Werth and So Taguchi will get the starts in center field while Victorino is out. Chris Snelling was called up to replace Vic on the roster.
With the Flyers heading down to Washington Friday night for Game 1 against the Capitals in their persuit of the Stanley Cup, the good people at Faceoff Factor have put together an excellent preview of the best-of-seven series.
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Capitals(3) vs. Flyers (6) Conference Quarterfinals Preview
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For the series preview, I’ve contacted two experts on the subjects of both Capitals and Flyers hockey. Let’s start with Washington.
The team from On Frozen Blog was kind enough to answer a few questions regarding the upcoming quarterfinals series between the Capitals and the Flyers.
JM: 1. Obviously, Alex Ovechkin had a huge hand in leading the Capitals to the post-season, but who are some of the more “Dark Horse” components of the Capitals that also contributed to this run?
OFB: Brooks Laich’s 21 goals (including 4 GWG) and his consistently tough play have been a big part of the Caps’ surge. Tom Poti has stepped up as the team’s defensive leader, holding together an injury-plagued defense and leading the team in TOI for half their games. Sergei Fedorov has …
Pedro Martinez’s season debut only lasted 56 pitches as he limped off the mound in the 4th inning, in what appears to be a hamstring injury. Given his age, this isn’t a good sign. He’ll fly back to New York tonight, and is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.
Pedro’s next start is the Mets home opener, a week from today against the Phillies. Odds are, he’s not going to make that start. Oliver Perez will slide into the #2 spot and get the nod.
The newly favored Mets (at least since they landed Johan Santana), will miss Pedro if he does indeed miss extended time. The team’s co-5th starters (Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey), will most likely slide into the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. Hernandez is currently on the disabled list, so if he’s unable to return Tony Armas, Nelson Figueroa, or Jorge Sosa would fill in the five-hole until Hernandez is able to return.
While I don’t like to relish in a rivals injury, and I do with Pedro a speedy recovery, the weakening to the Mets pitching …
It took until the final day of camp, but JD Durbin was finally placed on waivers. The self-proclaimed “Real Deal” proved this spring why he has no business being in the major leagues. Durbin’s 0-4 record with an atrocious 12.33 ERA, wasn’t just the worst on the Phillies but one of the worst springs among all pitchers. If Durbin clears waivers (which there’s no doubt he will), he’ll join the Iron Pigs rotation.
Joining Durbin will be Travis Blackey. Blackley was placed on waivers Tuesday. Being a Rule 5 pick, he was offered back to the Giants after he cleared waivers, but they chose not to take him back for $25,000. I like Blackley’s stuff (he just need to control it), and was hoping the Giants would let the offer pass. Unlike Durbin, I can see Blackley joining the Phillies at some point this season.
Another pitcher I expect to see joining the Phillies this season is Kris Benson. Benson, who is not on the 40-man roster, was assigned to minor league camp. …
