Benson update
The Phillies still aren't ready to place a timetable on the possible return of Kris Benson. The last time they did, they said they thought he might be ready to pitch in May. But with May half over, that won't be the case. Instead, the team seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
Benson recently threw 40 pitches in a simulated game. Ruben Amaro Jr. said he will throw 50 in his next outing on May 21, before a scheduled appearance in an extended spring training game on May 26.
Amaro said the biggest issue facing Benson, who also suffered biceps tendinitis in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder, is rehabbing his groin. Even after the veteran righthander is healthy, he will have to earn his way into the Phillies rotation.
"He's been set back twice," Amaro said. "We'll just have to see how he progresses. He's going to have to show some improvement for him to pitch in the big leagues. He's going to have to pitch like a big-leaguer to pitch in the big leagues. Just because he's there and throwing - he's going to have to be an effective pitcher for us for us to consider him."
* What's your criteria for effective Ruben? An ERA better than 6 to beat out the stalwarts Eaton and Myers? Do they have to be effective or just get paid a ton?
The Phillies still aren't ready to place a timetable on the possible return of Kris Benson. The last time they did, they said they thought he might be ready to pitch in May. But with May half over, that won't be the case. Instead, the team seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
Benson recently threw 40 pitches in a simulated game. Ruben Amaro Jr. said he will throw 50 in his next outing on May 21, before a scheduled appearance in an extended spring training game on May 26.
Amaro said the biggest issue facing Benson, who also suffered biceps tendinitis in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder, is rehabbing his groin. Even after the veteran righthander is healthy, he will have to earn his way into the Phillies rotation.
"He's been set back twice," Amaro said. "We'll just have to see how he progresses. He's going to have to show some improvement for him to pitch in the big leagues. He's going to have to pitch like a big-leaguer to pitch in the big leagues. Just because he's there and throwing - he's going to have to be an effective pitcher for us for us to consider him."
* What's your criteria for effective Ruben? An ERA better than 6 to beat out the stalwarts Eaton and Myers? Do they have to be effective or just get paid a ton?
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