You had to see this one coming.
After lefthander Matt Smith walked three batters in just 2/3 inning last night, the Phillies announced this morning they had optioned him to triple-A Ottawa. They recalled lefthander Fabio Castro to take his place. Smith just hasn't been able to throw strikes. And as the only lefthander in the bullpne, he tied Charlie Manuel's hands.
Castro was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in six appearances for Ottawa. Opponents had hit .194 against him.
Castro struggled this spring after he pitched well in winter ball as a starter. Castro said today that the transition from starter to bullpen might have been a factor in his poor spring numbers (0-1, 9.24 ERA in seven appearances).
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ESPN's Jayson Stark has an interesting note on Cole Hamels today.
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What? Curt Schilling faked it?
