It seems like the FanHouse has become the one place where Kyle Lohse can find some support. We've chronicled his search for gainful employment in painstaking detail over the last month. There were some hopeful signs for Lohse at Phillie camp this weekend. Kyle Kendrick got lit up by the Blue Jays yesterday. His line of two innings, seven hits, six runs and two walks leaves him with an ERA of 16.43 thus far. While there's no reason to panic just yet, plenty of pitchers have struggled in March and sparkled later on, the Phillies can't be too complacent. They already have deep problems at the fifth spot in the rotation and can't afford similar trouble in Kendrick's four-hole.
The nominal fifth starter, Adam Eaton, had a MRI yesterday which revealed a herniated disk in his back. The good news is that he should still be able to pitch, the bad news is the same. If his back gets worse, the Phillies will be banking on Chad Durbin or J.D. Durbin or a return to health from Kris Benson. That should work out well.
All of these issues have done nothing to change the team's mind about Lohse, however. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro threw more water in his direction.
"We don't have any interest in him. The fact of the matter is we may not have the dollars and cents to do something like that at this time."We're still pulling for you, big guy. If Sidney Ponson can find work, so can you.
This week, Major League Baseball decided to step up background checks for umpires. The union representing the umpires, the World Umpire Association (famous for such great matches as Kerry Von Erich vs. Umpires), has complied with the checks. But then!
