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Jon Lieber is the Odd Man Out ... Maybe

Mar 22, 2007 – 3:48 AM
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There was probably no secret alliances or immunity challenges involved in getting the Phillies rotation down from six to five. But the tribe has spoken, and Jon Lieber must grab his torch mitt and leave the island rotation immediately.

"I'm disappointed," Lieber said Wednesday. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. I think I can still start" ... "They're going to do what's best for the club," Lieber said. "My hands are tied. I'm disappointed, but I'm going to give it my best."

Well, not so fast ... because we may have found the reason behind the drop in Freddy Garcia's velocity: stiffness in the bicep in his throwing arm.

Pat Gillick has a decision to make. He has a spare outfielder who could start for most teams including his own (Aaron Rowand), and a spare starter who will be forced to the bullpen (Lieber). If Garcia is out for a long period of time, can Gillick use these two chips to fill holes like the bullpen and/or the outfield?

If not, then Charlie Manuel has a heck of a job ahead of him keeping six starting pitchers and four starting outfielders (I keep forgetting that David Dellucci is in Cleveland) two centerfielders happy. Good luck.
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