All Things Bubba

Andy Phillips during spring training
Poor Andy Phillips. If it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck. He left the game yesterday after being hit on his right wrist by a pitch. Turns out, his wrist is broken. He'll have surgery tomorrow, and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. While it's theoretically possible that he could return if the Yanks make the post-season, the odds aren't good. Assuming the Yankees even make the post-season.

That chance grew a little dimmer today, with a decisive loss to wild card rival Seattle. Clemens was pulled early for Moose. The Rocket was sent to the hospital for an MRI, because he felt something "catch" in his elbow. Without Clemens, you can put a fork in the Yankees.

Meanwhile, the Reds had their best, Aaron Harang, up against Pedro Martinez. Harang wasn't at his best, but he kept the Reds in it...except Mackanin left him out there too long. You could see he was struggling, but given the Reds' bullpen troubles, you could understand Mackanin taking a chance and leaving him out there. Like Torre yesterday with Pettitte, he rolled the dice and lost.

The Louisville Bats have played their final game of the season. (They beat Indianapolis, 8-2.) And the Reds have finally revealed the top-secret list of players getting called up.

According to the Bats radio announcers, these players are getting the call:

Todd Coffey, RP
Kirk Saarloos, RP
Brad Salmon, RP
Buck Coats, OF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Joey Votto, 1B

Buck Coats is kind of a surprise. He's been hitting well, but do they really need another lefty outfielder?

Sigh. Looking at that list, you have to figure that they'd have called Bubba up if he were healthy. But jeez, the Reds have a ton of lefty outfielders. Not just in the big club, but in the minors, too. The only right-handed outfielder on the Bats' roster is Jeff Bannon, who is actually an infielder. You gotta figure that Bubba will probably be moving on next year.