Baseball Updates: Bako, Cairo, Romero, First Place-o

The Phillies are back in action tonight. That means you can expect a game preview later today, as well as the regular game thread later. For now, here are a couple quick notes about the team from yesterday.

The Phillies signed veteran catcher Paul Bako to a minor league deal. I’m not sure why the team would sign a 36-year-old catcher, although, as Beerleaguer points out, he did get off to a good start last year with the Cincinnati Reds. Bako will head to Clearwater for extended spring training.

The move adds depth to the catcher position in the system, so I would not expect Bako to be making a push for Chris Coste‘s job off the bench. If Bako performs well in the minors, though, perhaps he could be used in a trade somewhere along the line; although, the market for a catcher that is near 40 is thin.

J.C. Romero started his rehab assignment with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs last night, although it is more like extended spring training for the suspended reliever. Romero entered the game in the seventh inning with the game tied at three. Romero gave up a lead off double to Braves prospect Reid Gorecki, who then stole third base. Gorecki scored on a single. Romero was charged with the loss after giving up one run in one full inning.

As noted in an article from IronPigsBaseball.com, “‘My body responded well, my arm action was good, it’s just that I was a little jumpy with my changeup,’ Romero said when asked during a postgame press conference on how he felt after pitching in a game for the first-time in 2009. Romero also added that his performance was a ‘C+,’ but that he ‘felt good.'”

Romero had three stolen bases against him, but that does not concern me. I would rather Romero just get loosened up and work on his pitch location than worry about base runners. Romero did record a strike out.

Romero is slated to pitch again Wednesday with the Reading Phillies.

Finally, Miguel Cairo accepted his Minor League assignment as stipulated in his contract. Cairo will report to Lehigh Valley, but a definite date has not been announced regarding when he will start playing. Cairo was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Drew Carpenter, and then Sergio Escalona.

The Mets blew a game last night to the Dodgers. The Mets’ loss puts the Phillies in a tie for first place in the division, with two games in hand (one of which comes against the Mets).

 

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