The Zo Zone

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle both said yesterday that Brett Myers and Ryan Madson are not candidates to rejoin the rotation to replace Freddy Garcia, who the team placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder.

So, who will?

It's not a particularly impressive list, but here's a look at three names the Phillies front office seem likely to discuss:

- Triple-A righthander J.D. Durbin (2-4, 5.13 ERA): He is the only candidate with big-league experience, although that experience isn't extensive or impressive. He allowed seven runs in just 2/3 inning this season for Arizona, and had a 7.36 ERA in four appearances for Seattle in 2004.
- Double-A righthander Kyle Kendrick (4-7, 3.21): The Phillies will talk about Kendrick because he pitches deep in games and throws strikes. But do the Phillies think Kendrick is mentally ready for such a jump? The Phillies liked lefthander Mike Zagurski's mental make up enough to make that jump, but it's unclear if they feel the same about Kendrick.
- Triple-A righthander Zack Segovia (1-7, 4.79): Segovia made a start for the Phillies earlier this season, but has scuffled with his command since. He can not overpower hitters, so location is critical.

Lefthander J.A. Happ (1-2, 4.09) would have been a candidate, but he is on the DL.

"We're going to have to get to a decision in the next couple days," Arbuckle said.

They could have an announcement tomorrow, but it's hard to imagine they are long-term solutions.

*

Jon Lieber pitched beautifully in last night's 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The best part for me? The game lasted just 2 hours, 10 minutes.

That helps on deadline.

*

Jose Mesa said is he is happy to be back in Philadelphia. The Detroit Tigers released him last Sunday, but he said a lack of work caused his ineffectiveness (12.34 ERA in 16 appearances) on the mound. The Phillies hope so.

Mesa makes $2.5 million this season, but because he cleared waivers the Phillies are responsible for just the pro-rated minimum salary of $380,000. That means if Mesa finishes the season with the Phillies, they will pay him just $250,000.

If he pitches poorly, they can release him and move on.

"I wanted to be in the National League so I can pitch a lot because in the American League you don't pitch," said Mesa, who said he feels fine physically. "I'm really happy to get out (of Detroit). I thought I was never going to come back here, but I'm here right now."

*

Big Jim is coming. Former Phillies first baseman Jim Thome talked to The Inquirer about his first trip to Philadelphia since the Phillies traded him to the Chicago White Sox after the 2005 season. The Sox come to town for a three-game series beginning tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park.

Thome is one of the nicest superstars I have ever met. Great guy. No ego. No diva tendencies. That's why it's always amusing when people say, "Thome got Manuel the manager's job." But here's a little, you know, fact that nobody wants to talk about: Thome never demanded that Manuel get the manager's job with the Phillies before he signed. He also never demanded that Manuel replace Larry Bowa after the Phillies fired Bowa. Believe the conspiracy theories if you wish, but Ed Wade simply hired Manuel because he liked him for the job.

I know, it's not as nearly as exciting.

But think about it: Wade knew his job was on the line. He knew he needed the Phillies to make the postseason. So why would he risk his job to placate a player in the middle of a multi-year contract? Especially when that player is one of the most accomodating players in baseball? Thome had absolutely no leverage ... not that he tried to exercise it.

*

The rest of the Inquirer's Sunday baseball column: Extra Bases and The Boras Factor.