DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PHILLIPS THE ODD MAN OUT.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer Jason Phillips Jason Phillips can refer to:
``How come he didn't throw him out?'' Phillips deadpanned, the sarcasm clearly evident in his voice. ``That was definitely the catcher's fault.'' If Phillips is a bit sensitive these days, it's easy to understand. He has, for all practical purposes, lost his job as the Dodgers' starting catcher to a 21-year-old rookie who entered Saturday with 10 career at-bats. Dioner Navarro Dioner Favian Navarro (born February 9, 1984 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball catcher and switch-hitter who plays for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Career In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent. started again Saturday, with Phillips at first base, a position he doesn't feel very comfortable playing. Phillips, who has thrown out only 12 of 82 baserunners (14.6 percent) this season, won't be catching again regularly until manager Jim Tracy
Tracy said he met with Phillips before Friday night's game and explained the situation. ``It was a reality check,'' Tracy said. ``I speak realistically to my players. I told him there's nothing wrong with his arm strength or the way he receives the ball, but there are some things we need to address as far as his exchange and his footwork. ... If he's interested in doing so, he can get better.'' The Dodgers still like Phillips' bat - he's second on the team with 46 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in and hit a solo home run Saturday - and figures to get plenty of time at first. In 2003 and 2004 with the Mets, Phillips split time between catcher and first base, but Phillips said in April that playing first base ``is just not what I do.'' --Werth update: Jayson Werth Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (born May 20, 1979 in Springfield, Illinois) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has usually been a bench player, but injuries to regular right fielder Shane Victorino and his backup Michael (sore left knee) made no progress and might be headed to the disabled list Monday or Tuesday if he doesn't show significant improvement, Tracy said. If Werth does go on the DL, Jose Valentin could be activated and return to the Dodgers. Valentin, playing left field at Triple-A Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , went 2 for 4 Friday and threw out a runner at second base. Rich Hammond, (818) 713-3611 rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion