CATCHER CHATTER

I asked Carlos Ruiz the other day if he had lost weight.

He seemed flattered that someone noticed.

The Phillies catcher confirmed that he’s lost 16 pounds since Spring Training started, putting him at 200 pounds.

“That’s the weight I want to be at all season,” he said. “I feel better and I am more flexible.”

Ruiz, who’s been out of the lineup the past few days with a stiff neck from sleeping on it wrong, has been committed to working out and watching his portion sizes. Most of his workouts consist of 40 minutes of running on the treadmill. Sometimes, though, he goes for 20 minutes on the treadmill and then 20 minutes on the bike.

He said his legs have gotten so much stronger that he doesn’t need the knee savers (extra padding) on his shin/knee guards anymore.

“It feels great to be able to do it myself now,” he said.

With Chris Coste being claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on Friday, that leaves Paul Bako and Ruiz as the club’s catchers. And even though Ruiz is the everyday catcher, he still finds himself picking Bako’s brain about different things.

“Every day, definitely,” Ruiz said. “I ask him questions about why he called that pitch and he gives me a lot of information. Little things like that make you better.”

Bako was called up from Double-A Reading when Brad Lidge went on the disabled list last month, and has been with the Phils ever since. Phils manager Charlie Manuel long ago saw an upside to him.

“When he was a free agent I scouted him for the two years I was working with Ed Wade and Ruben,” Manuel said. “I went around and saw all free agent players ---position players and pitchers. When he was in Chicago I saw him. I wrote a report up on him. I wrote that he could handle the bat and that he could catch and throw and it looked like he called a good game.”

MANUEL TALKS PEDRO

Since Phillies brass went to go to Pedro Martinez pitch in the Dominican Republic again Friday, it was inevitable that the pregame press conference with Manuel would head in that direction at some point.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Manuel would feel about having him in his clubhouse. He hesitated for a second before answering.

“He’s a competitor,” Manuel said. “I’ve always liked him. He likes to pitch, but I’ve never had him on my team. I’ve talked to him in the minor leagues, but I haven’t been around him a lot.”

What’s new: Carlos Ruiz expects to start Sunday’s game after missing Friday and Saturday’s games with a stiff neck.

Of note:  Jimmy Rollins stole third base in the first inning and second base in the third inning, giving his 15 swipes this season.

Pre-game quote of the day: “If you just bring a guy to the major leagues and plug him in at the third or fourth hole, and then try to move him, with the way baseball if nowadays, you will not be able to do that, I can tell you that right now. He will not accept it,” Manuel said. “There is a way to develop players. What works for me, I stay with it.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “When Raul comes back, I’m not just gonna cut him loose. He’s not gonna play seven days in a row. He’ll take a rest. I don’t know exactly how much, but we don’t think he’s gonna go out there and play seven days a week.”

Stat of the day: In the last nine games (not including Saturday), Phillies starting pitchers have combined for a 2.78 ERA (18 ER in 58 1/3 innings pitched) with seven quality starts.  

Visiting team tidbits:  First baseman Adam LaRoche has the best fielding percentage (.999) among N.L. first baseman with at least 700 total chances.

Next game’s pitching matchup: LHP J.A. Happ (5-0, 3.04 ERA) vs. RHP Virgil Vazquez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) at 1:35 Sunday.

On the horizon (next series): After the All-Star break, the Phillies head to Florida to face the Marlins from July 16-19.

ONE UP, ONE DOWN

As 30-year-old Jayson Werth got to celebrate and think about his future, 36-year-old Chris Coste was able only to reminisce about his days in Philadelphia.

Werth, the Phillies right fielder, was chosen by manager Charlie Manuel to take the injured Carlos Beltran’s spot on the all-star team, giving the Phillies three outfielders on the squad and five players all together (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth).

“I couldn’t be any happier or more thankful, really,” said Werth, who’s family lives about an hour north of St. Louis, the site of this year’s game. “It was unexpected. I’m on the right track. I’ve got a lot of good years in me left to play. I’m on a great team. We won a World Series last year. We’re on track again this year. I don’t have much to complain about.”

Coste, who won the hearts of Phillies fans with his patience, dedication, appreciation for the game and work ethic, though, had packed his bags and was wearing street clothes as he sat in the Phillies’ dugout for the final time. The Houston Astros claimed the backup catcher off waivers Friday afternoon.

“I know people appreciated my story,” said the backup catcher, who spent 11 years in independent and minor league ball before playing in his first major league game in 2006. “But I hope that when my career is over, they’ll not only say he was a good story, but he was a pretty good player as well.”

Werth entered Friday’s game hitting .268 with 20 home runs and 54 RBIs. But in his last 12 games, he’s hitting .343 with seven home runs, two doubles, 14 RBIs, 16 walks and 12 runs scored.

Those numbers, along with some intangibles, were things Manuel couldn’t look past.

“I got some calls, I listened to what people had to say, but at the same time I was noticing Werth’s production, especially about a week or two weeks ago,” Manuel said. “When we were in Toronto, they were throwing all these names at us, and I was keeping up with it and looking at it. I was looking at run production, I was looking at everything about it: defense, steals, running… also I felt like another outfielder was very important.”

Coste’s playing time decreased significantly over the last few weeks. With the addition of a much younger right-handed hitting John Mayberry Jr. available and with third catcher Paul Bako making an impression, Coste became less of a priority and contributor.

“It’s tough to see Coste go,” Manuel said. “Coste did some good things for us. He got some big hits; he caught some big games for us. I think what happened was he got caught up in numbers… the way things lined up, with the things we wanted to do.

“This year, and the end of last year, it definitely seemed like he was having trouble coming off the bench to hit. And he’s the type of guy who’s not pretty hitting, but when you put him in the game he’ll get hits for you. He did a tremendous job for us. Hopefully, he’ll go to Houston, get to play some and have a chance to stay in the big leagues for a while.”

What’s new:  Ibanez is the third oldest position player in major league history to make the All-Star team for the first time. The only others who were older were Babe Ruth in the first All-Star game in 1933 and George Crowe in 1958.

Of note:  The Phillies are only the 13^th outfield trio in history to all be named to the all-star team and the first since 1995 when Cleveland’s Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton and Manny Ramirez accomplished the team.

Pre-game quote of the day:  “Not many years ago, I was making 700 bucks a month in the minor leagues,” Coste said. “I wouldn’t trade it because it made me appreciate it, and to this day, I still continue to appreciate it. Some of those days, when I get up and forget how lucky I am, when I get to the ballpark and look around, I’m reminded how lucky I am. If we have a flight delay, you won’t hear me complain because I’ve been on bus delays or buses with flat tires in the middle of the road. I appreciate everything.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I also take into consideration the skill in a guy, the things he can do. Werth can do [it all]. He’s very good in the outfield, he’s got a great arm, he can run, he can steal a base, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark to any part of the field. He’ll take a walk. There are things he can do to help you win besides hitting.”

Stat of the day:  Jamie Moyer picked up his 254^th career victory Thursday night, tying him for 40^th  with Red Farber and Jack Morris on baseball’s all-time wins list.

Visiting team:  Pirates outfielders have recorded a major league leading 26 assists this season.

Next game’s pitching matchup:  LHP Cole Hamels (5-5, 4.70 ERA) vs. RHP Russ Ohlendorf (7-7, 4.63) at 7:05 Saturday night.

On the horizon (next series): Following Sunday’s game, the Phillies will be off for the All-Star break. They return to action next Friday when they travel to Florida to play the Marlins in a four-game series from July 16-19.

VICTORINO FLYIN' HIGH

Shane Victorino enjoyed the five-day process. But with his personality, he’ll like the end result even more.

Victorino was the winner of the on-line vote that determined who would get the final spot on the N.L. all-star team. A record 15.6 million votes were cast for the center fielder, who will head to St. Louis with Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez (as long as he comes off the DL), Ryan Howard and manager Charlie Manuel for the 80^th playing of the all-star game.

“I knew this was an opportunity for me to really see and understand what it’s like to be a Phillie,” said Victorino, who entered Thursday’s game hitting .308 with 22 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 40 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 61 runs scored. “That really showed by what has happened. I’m very appreciative. Hopefully we can keep going and bring another World Series to this city.”

Victorino will be busy the next couple of days making arrangements to get his family from Hawaii to St. Louis,  but it’s a task he’ll gladly take on if it means he’ll be playing in his first all-star game.

“But I’m sure my family will be getting on a plane from Hawaii,” Victorino said. “You never know how many of these you’ll get to play in."

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said his style of play and personality were key to the large number of votes he got.

"I think people connect with him," Amaro said."He's an easy guy to like. With the way he goes about his business, I think fans gravitate toward that."

Helping the vote tally grow were three guys who sat in the press dining area (courtesy of a contest sponsored by 610 WIP) from noon on Tuesday until 4 p.m. Thursday and voted continuously on their laptops.

Saucon Valley graduate Ryan Leary, 25, hardly slept over the last three days (his sleeping bag sitting on the floor next to him was surely lonely) cast the most votes of the three. He’ll get to spend some time with Victorino, who was a Rule 5 draft pick by the Phillies, before a game and then watch batting practice from the field.

“I’m excited about sending Shane to the All-Star Game,” he said. “I feel like I did my part. He brought me a championship so I wanted to give him something he hasn’t had yet.”

What’s new:  Pitching coach Rich Dubee said he expects reliever Clay Condrey to be on plane to Florida on Friday so he can start rehabbing. Condrey has been on the DL since June 23 (retroactive to June 19) with a left oblique strain.

Of note:  Manager Charlie Manuel said he thinks left fielder Raul Ibanez will be back with the team Friday. “I’d like to see him play two [games this weekend], if possible,” Manuel said.

Pre-game quote of the day: “I wanted to be the ironman and make it through the night, but the cafeteria ladies started looking at me and told me to close my eyes and I did that for about 20 minutes,” Leary said. “I was wired.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I think in the two games he’s pitched, he’s done very good,” Manuel said of Rodrigo Lopez. “He did fine. I like the way he handled himself, I liked his command, I liked how he had a sinker, slider, changeup… threw the sinker/slider real good on both sides of the plate, and used the changeup a lot when he gets ahead in the count, which is good. He make batters chase it.”

Stat of the day:  Jayson Werth entered Thursday’s game hitting .324 (24-for-74) with runners in scoring position.

Visiting team tidbits: Reds closer Francisco Cordero is only the 11^th pitcher in history with 100 saves in each league. He has 117 in the AL and 115 in the NL. Former Phillie Jose Mesa is also on that list.

Next game’s pitching matchup: RHP Joe Blanton (5-4, 4.69 ERA) vs. LHP Sach Duke (8-7, 3.28 ERA).

On the horizon (next series):  The Pirates come to town this weekend for the final series heading into the all-star break.

Then, just moments after word came that the center fielder had won the on-line vote, giving him the final spot on the National League’s all-star roster, the Pedro Martinez rumblings started. From that moment on, it’s all anyone could talk about.

According to the Associated Press, Martinez said his agent is negotiating with the Phillies.

“The Phillies saw me pitch this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches,” he told the AP on Thursday.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports the his club struck a deal with the eight-time all-star, but admitted the organization has shown interest in him.

“He has not been signed,” Amaro said before Thursday's game against the Reds. “He is not in town for a physical. When we make a decision, we’ll let you know.”

It’s no secret the Phillies need help on the front line. No. 2 starter Brett Myers had hip surgery in June and isn’t expected back anytime soon. His replacement, Antonio Bastardo is on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain. And Rodrigo Lopez, in his just second start with the team, left after five innings Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation. The club has already used nine starting pitchers this season.

Martinez, who reportedly threw three innings Tuesday and had his fastball clocked at 93 mph, told the AP that it is up to his agent and the Phillies to finalize contract details.

The 37-year-old free agent was 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA for the Mets last season. He pitched in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic before the regular season started.

More than 75 percent of the question-answer sessions were geared toward trade-talk.

No specific names can be mentioned, but it goes without saying that everyone wants to know what it would take to get an ace that Manuel is after (the most prominent name on the block is Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay).

There’s speculation that the Phillies would either have to be willing to unload serious talent in their farm system, and they might also possibly have to throw a current Major Leaguer into the mix, depending on who they’re willing to deal away from the minor leagues.

Manuel managed Triple-A ball for 10 years and spent time as a scout and in the front office, so he sees the importance of developing young talent. But as a current major league manager, his prime concerns lie with the Phillies.

“The interest is at the major league level. That’s where the money is. That’s where you draw the people,” Manuel said. “I think who we have on our team and who we are is why people come and fill the ballpark up. We’ve got some speed, some power, we catch the ball and we’ve been winning. I want the best players I can possibly get. I think that’s what makes us a winner. If I could get somebody that could make an impact right away,  I would go get him. I look at our team, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Victorino, Lidge, Cole Hamels and you’re looking at anywhere from three to four years under contract, I think we have a window in there for at least three years and I think that gives us a chance to go back and repeat in the World Series.”

Amaro said the Phillies do have untouchables in their farm system, but he wouldn’t name names. Manuel didn’t call him an untouchable, but he did say he’d have a tough time trading away pitcher Kyle Drabek, son of former Major Leaguer Doug Drabek.

“I like Drabek because he’s strong and he’s a drop-and-drive kind of pitcher,” Manuel said. “I’m not a pitching coach, but I like his mechanics. I like where he comes from. He’s a strong-bodied kid. He’s capable of being like a Tom Seaver type or Bartolo Colon. He’s got that kind of stuff. He’s young. He has a big upside to him.”

Certainly, the Phillies have a limit on how much they’re willing to spend to get someone, but Amaro said there is some flexibility. Right now, Halladay, who is signed through 2010, would be owed about $22 million over the next two years.

“A lot of it depends on the player that we’re talking about, the players that we would acquire,” Amaro said. “But we have some flexibility. It’s not unlimited. As you know, we have the highest payroll we’ve ever had. We’re well up over $130 million and there is a limit to how much we can spend.”

Amaro said trading from their 25-man roster isn’t their first choice, and they’d like to try to avoid. But to get who they want, it might not be possible.

“The goal is to add, not subtract,” he said. “Subtracting doesn’t really help us. If it helps us in the long run, perhaps. A lot of it depends on who we might acquire to do that.”

I say it’s no coincidence that Greg Dobbs is playing a lot. Yes, I know Raul Ibanez is on the DL, but Manuel could be playing Matt Stairs or John Mayberry Jr. more. Instead, he’s playing Dobbs. I think it’s because the club is showcasing him. Along with his numbers, his value has certainly gone up over the last three weeks.

It’s unlikely a trade will be made soon. It could come down to the wire. But surely, things will be interesting over the next few weeks.

What’s new:  The Phillies and Detroit Tigers teamed up to encourage fans to vote for each other players for the final spots on each all-star team. They’re calling it Bran Torino, a play on the movie Gran Torino and the players’ names (Brandon Inge and Shane Victorino).

Of note:  Starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez left after five innings with right shoulder inflammation.

Pre-game quote of the day:  “There are some pretty good arms down below,” Amaro said. “I’m hopeful that many of those guys can help us here (in Philadelphia) eventually. But as Paul Owens said and Dallas Green said after that, they are prospects and moving one of them can help us improve our club to get to the playoffs or making a run at winning a championship, then we have keep our minds open.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I understand that,” Manuel said when asked if he understood that funds weren’t limited as the Phillies . “If I got money in the bank and I go out and buy a car…if I can afford a Ford or GMC or Chevrolet and I can’t afford a Cadillac, I guess I’m going to have to drive that Ford, aren’t I? That’s how I look at it. I’ll just pretend it’s a Cadillac.”

Stat of the day:  Shane Victorino entered Wednesday’s game with 29 multi-hit games. Only seven players have more, including Miguel Tejada, who leads all NL hitters with 35.

Visiting team tidbits: Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the fourth inning.

Next game’s pitching matchup:  LHP Jamie Moyer (7-6, 5.72 ERA) vs. RHP Micah Owings (6-8, 4.48 ERA).

On the horizon (next series): The Phillies host the Pirates for a weekend series before heading into the all-star break.

HE'S VOTING AND VOTING AND VOTING

Sleep will be at a minimum over the next two nights for Hellertown native Ryan Leary.

But he doesn’t mind one bit.

The 25-year-old arrived at Citizens Bank Park early Tuesday afternoon and will remain there until Thursday evening. He’s spending nearly every waking minute casting votes for Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, who is one of five players up for the final spot on the National League All-Star team via a special on-line vote that will end at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

“I couldn’t pass this up,” said Leary, who is the younger brother of Lehigh University baseball coach Sean Leary. “It’s something I may never get to do again.”

SportsRadio 610 WIP in Philadelphia chose three listeners to “live” in the press dining room where they will vote continuously via their laptops. Although they will be given access to showers and restrooms and will be fed throughout their stay, Leary doesn’t envision sleep being high on his priority list.

“I brought my sleeping bag and pillow, but I probably won’t be sleeping much,” he said. “I’m a crammer for tests, so staying up all night is nothing I haven’t done before. But I am hoping I get one of those giveaways [Ryan Howard towels] because that’s the one thing I forgot.”

Leary, who’s finishing up his degree in journalism at Penn State, and the other voters will each walk away with some prizes. The person who casts the most votes will get to meet Victorino and will watch batting practice before an upcoming game. The second-place winner will get a signed Victorino jersey and two tickets to a home game. A Victorino bobblehead and two tickets will be given to the third-place winner.

“I feel like he deserves to be there,” said Leary, a 2002 Saucon Valley graduate. “He plays well, he runs well, he has a strong arm. He has a lot of intangibles to offer.”

The 2009 All-Star Game is Tuesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley were voted in as starters. The manager is Charlie Manuel, who chose Ryan Howard as a reserve. Howard will participate in Monday’s home run derby.

DOBBS FILLING IN NICELY

With good reason, most people were panicking when left fielder Raul Ibanez went on the disabled list June 18.

Greg Dobbs didn’t though. No, he wasn’t happy to see the Phillies’ best hitter out of the lineup. But he knew it was his chance to remind everyone that last year wasn’t a fluke.

Dobbs has appeared in 14 games since Ibanez was sidelined and he’s been stellar at the plate. Entering Tuesday’s game, he was 16-for-38 (.421) with nine RBIs, three home runs and four doubles. He raised his season batting average from .186 (on June 18) to .271 after Monday’s game.

“You want to be in there every day,” Dobbs said. “It’s a good feeling, for sure. Why it happened wasn’t good, but that’s why we need to stay as prepared as we can.”

Manuel has said all along that Dobbs needed at-bats. But with Ibanez having been putting up All-Star numbers and with third baseman Pedro Feliz having had a great April, May and June, Manuel didn’t get too many chances to put Dobbs in there.

He’s glad now that Dobbs has seized the opportunity.

"That's kind of what happens when you get going,” Manuel said. “That's the beauty of the game."

What’s new:  A Phillies scout went to watch Pedro Martinez pitch in a simulated game in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. Don’t read too much into it. Phillies scouts will be watching lots of pitchers over the next few weeks leading up to the July 31 trading deadline.

Of note:  There’s a very good chance that Blue Jays star Roy Halladay will be on the trading block. Manuel has repeatedly said he wants a horse, a guy who can consistently go seven or eight innings. Halladay is that guy. But can, or will, the Phillies be able to give Toronto enough in return? They’d likely have to clean house in their farm system or give up a major-league ready, quality Phillie, plus some young talent to get Halladay.

Pre-game quote of the day:  “I’m trying to get a set amount of tickets. It really hasn’t been too bad,” Howard said when asked if he’s been bombarded with tickets requests since the All-Star game is in his hometown.

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I don’t even want to talk about that,” Manuel said when asked about what happened after his team beat St. Louis 20-1 last year. The Phillies went on to lose eight of nine and 11 of their next 14 games.

Stat of the day:  Monday’s game was only the fourth time in Major League history that a team scored in double figures in the first inning and then also scored in each of the next three innings.  The other teams to do it were the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1890, the Cubs in 1906 and the Red Sox in 2003.

Visiting team tidbits: Monday’s 22-1 loss to the Phillies was the Reds’ largest margin of defeat in the history of the franchise , which began play in 1869.

Next game’s pitching matchup:  RHP Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 2.84 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey (1-0, 5.94 ERA).

Howard, a St. Louis native, was chosen by manager Charlie Manuel to be in the game and then was asked if he'd like to participate in the Derby on Monday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Joining Howard will be Alberty Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder. All four National League participants are first basemen. Pujols leads the majors with 31 home runs. Howard has 20.

WILL IBANEZ TAKE PART?

Raul Ibanez stood and talked to reporters for at least 30 minutes after Sunday’s game. His smile was ever present.

Yes, he’s that excited about having been voted in as a starter for next week’s All-Star game.

But whether he’s actually going to get the chance to suit up for the game is another story.

Ibanez has been on the disabled list since June 18 with a left groin strain. Although he made his first rehab start Monday at Double-A Reading and will make another one Tuesday with the IronPigs, there’s no guarantee the Phillies left fielder will be able to play in the game at Busch Stadium on July 14.

“I look at that as something we’ll have to wait and see,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

If the club doesn’t feel Ibanez is ready to be activated, he won’t be able to play in the All-Star game. If they chose to leave him on the DL, he’d had an extra four days to rest during the break. However, if he is cleared to return to the Phillies before the break, Manuel has a feeling Ibanez will want to take part in the game.

“If he plays [for us] before the All-Star game, he’d probably want to play in the all-star game because he’s never been in one before,” said Manuel, who’s managing the National League team. “More than likely, he’d get one or two at-bats. “

Ibanez said on Sunday that he’s not going to push himself, no matter how much he wants to be in uniform next week. He’s simply more focused on helping the Phillies win another title.

“If I can’t do it here, then I’m not going to do it there,” he said. “The only way I’m going to turn me loose is if I can play, period. If the all-star game didn’t come at the time it was coming, then you’d just be playing the regular season. We’re looking at the big picture, playing the season.”

HOW ABOUT LOPEZ?

Will Rodrigo Lopez become a permanent fixture in the Phillies’ rotation this season? It’s too early to say. But Manuel likes what Lopez has to offer his team.

“Lopez brings you experience and he stays within himself good,” Manuel said. “By that I mean, if he misses with a sinker down and in, he’s smart enough to go outside with his next pitch. He throws quality strikes. His velocity is a little down from where it was, but not much and he still has that good, little sinker.”

ROLLINS STAYS HOT

For the fifth consecutive game, Jimmy Rollins has done what a leadoff hitter should be doing. Following the first inning Monday, Rollins is 8-for-16 with five walks, giving him more walks already in July than he had for the whole month of June.

Rollins went to the plate twice in the first Monday. He led things off with a walk and then scored and later drove in a run with a double and scored on Chase Utley’s three-run shot.

“His swing has been more consistent,” Manuel said. “His bat has been quick and he is staying on the ball better. He’s had better balance at the plate. He’s not getting long. And usually when he finds it, he keeps it awhile.”

What’s new: The Phillies’ 10 runs in the first inning Monday marked the first time they had done that since June 2, 2002.

Of note:  On Sunday, the Phillies had three hits, two of which were solo home runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was only the third time since 1950 that the Phils won a 2-0 game with two home runs. They did it in 1965 at Connie Mack Stadium against the Giants and in 1977 at Busch Stadium against the Cardinals.

Pre-game quote of the day: “He’s still trying to find his command,” Manuel said of reliever J.C. Romero. “He’s not as sharp as we’ve seen him.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I don’t get mad at players for getting hurt,” Manuel said. “I’m just mad that they’re hurt.”

Stat of the day:  By the end of the second inning Monday, the Phillies already had nine hits, including three home runs.  

Visiting team tidbits: Reds relievers entered Monday’s game with the best ERA (3.25) in the league.

Next game’s pitching matchup: LHP J.A. Happ (5-0, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Harang (5-8, 3.86 ERA).

On the horizon (next series):  The Phillies host the Pirates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, their last games before the all-star break.

Phillies fans should be excited about this year's All-Star game.

Left fielder Raul Ibanez and second baseman Chase Utley were voted in as starters. Manager Charlie Manuel, who will  manage the team, chose first baseman Ryan Howard as a reserve. And Shane Victorino, thanks to Manuel, will have a shot at joining them.

The center fielder is one of five players who has a chance at earning the 33rd spot on the roster, which fans will vote for on-line through July 9.

"I'm excited. Very excited," Victorino said. "I guess I never expected something like this to come the way it did. It's nice. Now we leave it up to the Philly faithful. And I think I have a good chance. I have faith in the fans."

Despite regularly putting up excellent numbers, Ibanez had never even been in an all-star game before this season. Now, if he's off the DL and feeling up to it, he'll start.

"It's definitely a great feeling," he said. "I feel blessed. I know the fact that I'm playing on this club with all these great players, that that definitely helped me. I credit my teammates for making me better. Being a part of this club and this city is awesome. I'm reaping the rewards of what they've done for me."

With the game being in St. Louis, it will be a homecoming for Howard, and he can't wait to get there.

"To be able to go to [the all-star game] in your hometown...there's really not too much more you can ask for," he said.

Howard has great numbers at Busch Stadium. In 27 career games there, he's hitting .376 with 13 home runs.

"That played a part in it," Manuel said of selecting Howard as a reserve. "And even if I use him as a pinch hitter, we've seen in the last four years or so, he's capable of coming off the bench and hitting a home run. He'll get to play in the game, but even if he gets one at-bat, he is very dangerous."

For Utley, it will be his fourth consecutive time starting in the All-Star game.

"Hopefully, Charlie can rile us all up and we can win one for the National League," Utley said.

EYRE RETURNS

Bit by bit, the Phillies are getting healthy.

Before Sunday’s game, left-handed reliever Scott Eyre was activated from the disabled list (closer Brad Lidge came off June 25 and Clay Condrey and Ibanez could be about a week away).

“Now I just want to get out there,” said Eyre, who was out with a left calf strain.

Eyre was placed on the 15-day DL on June 12, but it took until Sunday for him to be activated.

“It was right at the time [head trainer] Scott Sheridan said it would be,” Eyre said. “Scott said it would be about 21 days.”

While Eyre was out, the Phillies went just 6-14, something that wasn’t easy for him to watch.

“Not that I would have made a big difference, but there might have been some spots where I could have helped,” he said.

Eyre spent a lot of time sitting in the dugout during games before rehabbing in the Phillies’ minor league system. One time he bought breakfast for all his (temporary) teammates and another time he treated everyone to sushi.

No, Eyre didn’t change anything with his mechanics or add a pitch to his repertoire. But he still rediscovers something every time he makes a trip to the DL.

“It reminds you what a privilege it is to be in the big leagues,” he said.

What’s new: Ibanez is scheduled to play for Double-A Reading on Monday in a rehab assignment. He said he expects to play about five innings in the outfield. "Raul is the kind of guy who's going to actually enjoy it," Howard said. "I had a blast when I went. He's going to be like a kid in a candy store."

Of note:  Fans set a record by voting 223.5 million times on-line for the 2009 All-Star game. In addition, 17.8 million votes were cast via paper ballot.

Pre-game quote of the day: “I’m ready to be out there and not be a cheerleader,” said Eyre, who was activated from the disabled list before Sunday’s game.

Best of Charlie’s chat: "I chose Ryan Howard because he deserves to go, and he's our player, he's my player," Manuel said. "And our players are the reason I'm managing in the All-Star game in the first place. I got their based on us winning."

Stat of the day:  The Phillies, who begin a four-game series with the Reds on Monday, have five players  hitting above .300 in their careers against Cincinnati --- Paul Bako .325 (37-114), Greg Dobbs .423 (11-26), Pedro Feliz .304 (45-148), Matt Stairs .322 (49-152) and Chase Utley .313 (40-128).

Visiting team tidbits:  Mets catchers have driven in 54 runs this season, the most in the majors (Omir Santos has 23 RBIs, Brian Schneider has 18 and Ramon Castro had 13 before being traded to the White Sox).

Next game’s pitching matchup: LHP Cole Hamels (4-5, 4.98 ERA) vs. RHP Johnny Cueto (8-4, 2.69 ERA) at 7:05 Monday night at Citizens Bank Park.

On the horizon (next series): The Cincinnati Reds come into town for a four-game series beginning Monday night.

The left-handed reliever, who joined the team in Spring Training, was designated for assignment before Friday's game to make room for Rodrigo Lopez on the 25-man roster.

The team could have optioned Taschner to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but instead designated him for assignment, meaning other clubs have 10 days to pick him up, and if they don’t, the Phillies would have to place him on waivers (meaning he would likely end up in their minor league system), trade him or release him.

“I happened to like the guy a lot,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “He’s been in the big leagues for a long time, and this gives us an opportunity to move him and gives him an opportunity with another club.  We just felt like this was the right thing to do.”

Taschner was 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 appearances (27 2/3 innings). But many of those outings came in situations he wasn’t accustomed to pitching in, and he admitted that was a factor in his lack of success.

“You could point to a million different things,” he said. “I didn’t throw a whole lot, but you have to get used to that.

“[The decision to designate me for assignment] was definitely more of a favor to me. They could have optioned me. I have one more option left.”

Taschner just doesn’t want this to be the end of the line.

“The best-case scenario is to pitch,” he said. “As far as where…I don’t care.”

Phils manager Charlie Manuel said Taschner needs to make some improvements.

“He got put in situations where he had to pitch like two innings or when he had to mop up and he was facing right-handed hitters and I always felt like that might not be very good for him,” Manuel said. “He needs better command and that’s one of the biggest things I told him he needs to work on, plus he needs work. He needs to get sharp. He hasn’t pitched what I call real good as far as location and command of his pitches.”

IBANEZ UPDATE

Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez, on the disabled list since June 18, was eligible to be activated today, but he is clearly behind schedule. He has yet to even make a rehab start, and Amaro doesn’t know when it will come.

“We’ll see where his progress is,” Amaro said. “Once he sees the doctor (that was scheduled for Friday), we’ll decide on his next move. He’s likely to go out for another workout. Or he may go out on a rehab assignment. It depends on how he feels and what the diagnosis is from the doctor. He’s not likely to go out [Saturday], but it’s possible. A lot of it depends on how he feels [Friday] and the discussion he has with [team physican Dr. Michael] Ciccotti.

[His first rehab start] could be Tuesday. It could be Thursday. We don’t know.”

The progress has been slowed because Amaro said Ibanez still feels some discomfort in his strained groin.

“As long as he’s feeling something, he’s not feeling comfortable, and our medical people don’t feel comfortable putting him out there if it’s risky.”

Ibanez said the pain doesn’t compare to where it was a couple weeks ago.

“I like the way I’m feeling,” he said after taking batting practice Friday. “I like the way I’m progressing. I’m feeling way better.”

What’s new:  Reliever Scott Eyre, on the DL since June 12 with a left calf strain, threw Friday for Class Double-A Reading. He was eligible to come off the DL on June 27.  "We’re not sure whether we would activate him or give him another (rehab game) to pitch," Amaro said. "He didn’t throw particularly well his first time out, so he’s got some rust to knock off."

Of note:  Reliever Clay Condrey, another member of the walking wounded, has been on the DL since June 23 with a left oblique strain, is indeed throwing. However, he said on Friday that he had yet to throw off a mound. Clearly, he won’t be coming off the DL on Saturday. Amaro added that he does not have a rehab scheduled yet.

Pre-game quote of the day:  “I’m not upset,” Taschner said. “I’m just upset that I’m leaving a great group of guys.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “You know what? Every night, I look at every player we got. I’m going to tell you right now that I’m 100 percent sure that Jimmy Rollins is our leadoff hitter. With the talent that he has, the kind of player that he is, I go through this every year I’ve been here, with people asking me if he’s leading off…he’s ranked right up there with the top leadoff hitters in the game. You gotta stay with him. I look at our lineup, and I can’t figure where I’d hit him on an everyday basis except leadoff. There are places I can hit him in the lineup, but who would I move? The bottom of the lineup is taken up. When he’s hitting good, he can hit anywhere … but when I look at our lineup and who he is, he’s our leadoff hitter. You can put him anywhere you want to, but he’s our leadoff hitter. He’s 30 years old, he can still play and do everything he’s always done. When you go bad, you go bad. And I don’t think when you go bad, you have to move him. You can’t satisfy everyone.”

Stat of the day:  The Phillies lead all major league teams in pinch-hit home runs (7) and pinch-hit RBIs (24) despite hitting just .194 (24-for-124) in the pinch.

Visiting team tidbits:  Northampton graduate Brian Schneider was the starting catcher for the Mets.  He walked in his first plate appearance and grounded out in his next.

Next game’s pitching matchup:  LHP Jamie Moyer (6-6, 6.05 ERA) vs. RHP Fernando Nieve (3-1, 2.25 ERA).

On the horizon (next series):  The Phillies host the Reds in a four-game series from Monday to Thursday. They’re all night games.