Dobbs Has Cooties

OK all kidding aside, Greg Dobbs has the flu or stomach virus and the Charlie Manuel had him send home so he doesn't infect the rest of the team. He won't be allowed back until he is completely healthy Ruben Amaro Jr. said. Tyler Walker, who wasn't on the 25-man roster but with the team, was also sent home because of sickness and Pedro Martinez complained of feeling ill before his start on Tuesday but is still with the team.

One player on the Phillies decided to board up Dobbs' locker with cardboard, masking, tape, and yellow "Caution" tape with a sign that read:

Greg Dobbs Update
Thomas Jefferson Hospital
Room #---
Visiting hours for family and friends from 6-8 p.m.

Please be advised to wear a mask!!

Gotta love the togetherness this team has. Hopefully Dobbs' gets well in time to be with the team before this series is over.

UPDATE: Dobbs is feeling better and is cleared to play tonight via Susan Lulgjuraj of the AC Press.

Ibanez Playing Hurt

It was Chase Utley last year who saw a dramatic decrease in productivity in the second half of the season and now this year it was Raul Ibanez suffering the same fate. And like Utley, Ibanez has been hurt for the second half of the season.

From SI.com:

But by the third week in June, Ibañez was suffering from a sore left groin and, unbeknownst to the public, a small but serious muscle tear near his abdomen. On a trip to Toronto he was confronted with an excruciating decision: He could have surgery to repair the tear and miss a large chunk of time, or he could return after a short stint on the disabled list and play his dream season hurt. "We all asked him if he would have the surgery," Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes says, "and he told everyone, 'I won't do that. I'll do anything but that.'"

One logical explanation as to why Ibanez is risking the rest of his career for this World Series run is his age. He's been in the league for 17 years and has been on mediocre teams his whole career. I compare this situation with the senior starting goalie for the Rowan women's soccer team. She is playing with a concussion, separated shoulder, and sprained AC joint. Rowan is ranked 10th in the nation for Division 3 schools and this is her last chance at a championship and she will go all out because it is more important to her than being hurt permanently.

Ibanez sees this as his only shot probably and wants a ring more than anything. That's the sign of a winner.

Bruised and Battered

The Phillies will enter the playoffs on different terms than last year. Last year they clawed their way to October and a world championship but this year they made it in with barely a challenge from divisional opponents. But they were challenged with something else: the injury bug.

The Phillies, especially the bull pen, have battled injuries all season and will have to continue to do so in the playoffs. Jamie Moyer was the most recent pitcher to fall victim as he will have season ending surgery to repair his groin and abdomen. He was hurt on Tuesday.

It is also made known that JC Romero's season will be over. I found on Twitter via The 700 Level. Hopefully the Phillies will be able to find two competent replacements for Moyer and Romero. Chan Ho Park is currently rehabbing and is eligible to be placed on the 25-man playoff roster.

Cliff Lee will pitch tonight which will set him up to pitch Game 1 of the NLDS most likely versus Colorado.

Roster Moves

A day after the Phillies purchased injured pitcher John Ennis, the Phillies called up Jack Taschner to the bull pen. He's 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 appearances before he was previously designated for assignment two months ago. He went 0-2 with two saves and a 2.08 ERA and a .213 OBA with Triple A Lehigh Valley.

Ennis is recovering from Tommy John surgery. After the Phillies bought him, they placed him on the 15 day DL because any player on the 25 man roster or DL by August 31 can be eligible for the playoffs. They're hoping Ennis can pitch by then if they want. The Phillies have 31 players eligible which include the six on the DL: Brett Myers, J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, Greg Dobbs, Antonio Bastardo and Ennis.

Howard Had Sinusitis, Improving

Ryan Howard was diagnosed with acute sinusitis. The club stated that his 104-degree fever is gone and he's at home resting. Howard could possibly be in the line up as early as Tuesday when the Phillies go down to Tampa Bay to face the defending AL champion Rays.

In other news, Brad Lidge could be activated this week. He will make his second rehab appearance in Class-A Clearwater and could be activated Wednesday or hold off and pitch on Friday for a third rehab outing. Lidge allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning in a rehab outing with Double-A Reading on Saturday night.

BREAKING NEWS: Ibanez Put on DL

Todd Zolecki Tweeted that Raul Ibanez was placed on the Phillies 15 Day DL with a left groin strain. John Mayberry Jr. was called up today and will start in right field. Jayson Werth will play left field tonight.

Zo's Tweets:

Ibanez placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. Mayberry takes his place.

Today's lineup vs. TOR: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Werth LF, Feliz 3B, Mayberry RF, Ruiz C, Blanton P. (Ibanez on DL.)

Hamels to Pitch Tonight

Cole Hamels will be making his first start since spraining his ankle on April 28. Before that start he took a line drive off his left shoulder from Prince Fielder. It hasn't been just the regular season as Hamels has also missed time in Spring Training due to inflammation in his left elbow, forcing Brett Myers to take the opening day spot.

"We'll see how far he can go," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Once his
pitch count gets up there, we'll see. He might be able to go 85 or 90 [pitches],
maybe more. I don't know."

Hamels is a great pitcher and I know he will come around. He has battled through injuries before and this is nothing new to him. He will catch fire mid-season and finish strong, returning to World Series MVP form.

Hamels has made four starts and is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA. He has struck out 15 batter in 17.1 innings pitched. He will face Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1; 5.00) of the Braves tonight.