Jonathan Papelbon won't be picky about which contender welcomes him

For the third straight night the final three outs of the Phillies' win were delivered by Jonathan Papelbon, who has 22 saves, a 1.24 ERA, a 0.853 WHIP and hasn't allowed a long ball all year.
Those are dominating closer numbers, the type that more than a few contending teams could use as they try to patch their spotty bullpens. A year ago no one wanted to touch Papelbon, who had two years remaining on a four-year, $50 million contract.
You would think a healthy hip and a return to dominance would change that thinking. Papelbon certainly hopes it has.





"Of course, what kind of question is that?" the quippy closer queried when asked if he wants contenders to come calling for him. "Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That's mind-boggling to me. I think that's a no-brainer."
It isn't to every player (see: Jimmy Rollins), but at least Papelbon is honest about his desire to find a path back to October baseball as soon as possible. The right-hander nodded his head in affirmation when asked if he would waive his no-trade clause for pretty much any contender who wanted to make a deal to land him.
Papelbon didn't have any insight into any possible landing spots. He knows Detroit could use his help. Pittsburgh and Anaheim also are scrambling for ninth-inning consistency.
"My gut hasn’t told me anything," he said about where he will land. "I go day by day. Whatever happens, I cross that bridge when I get to it … I don’t have that crystal 8-ball."
Although Papelbon has made it plain that he would like to leave a team that is an also-ran for a third straight season, there are things about the Phillies he would miss.
"You know, I came here for a reason," he said. "But I'm with a group of guys in the bullpen that can do very special things in the future. I've been waiting for that, you know what I mean? It's fun to be a part of that, it really is. We are there finally with our bullpen. So that aspect of it would kind of suck to leave. But at the same time, winning is the cure-all of cure-alls.
"One word explains it all -- inconsistent. It's just the way we've been all year."

Amaro: Phillies 'are this poor,' changes are imminent

MILWAUKEE -- The general manager is ready to do some shaking up to the Phillies.
While that could include a flurry of trades in the next three weeks, Ruben Amaro Jr. made it plain Monday afternoon that dealing players away isn't the only way to shake up an offense that has been an embarrassment for most of the season.
"What more can you say other than we are not swinging the bats very well," Amaro said. "I didn't anticipate our guys being this poor -- because they are, they are this poor.
"So at some point we're going to have to make some changes."
Amaro didn't do much to mask which players he considers on notice. Domonic Brown, Ben Revere and, yes, even Ryan Howard are on the verge of finding their way to the bench.
"Some guys, once they are ready to play, may be factors for us," Amaro said.
Topping the list of "some guys" are outfielder Grady Sizemore and outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf. Sizemore has been hitting well for Triple-A Lehigh Valley since the Phillies signed him to a minor-league deal, and he could be in Phillies pinstripes by the weekend. Ruf, who suffered a fractured wrist five weeks ago, made his second start for Lehigh Valley Monday and could be ready for a return to Philly after the All-Star break. Freddy Galvis (broken clavicle) also could get a shot to salvage what has been an injury-plagued wreck of a year.
However, the most interesting topic broached by Amaro was the status of prospect Maikel Franco. The 21-year-old, who has been struggling at Triple-A for much of the first three months, had nine hits, including four extra-base knocks, in 18 at-bats in four games July 2-5.
Amaro practically begged Franco to keep hitting that stride and give him a reason to promote the prospect.
"He's swinging the bat well," Amaro said. "Hey, listen, I'm looking for people who can swing the bat, because we're not doing it here. It he gets to the point where he starts swinging the bat consistently, he's a guy who could be in play."
And although Franco is a solid fielding third baseman, Amaro mentioned the other infield corner -- the one occupied by Howard (.177, one RBI in last 17 games) -- as an option.
"He could play first base, too," Amaro said of Franco. "If we're going to make changes, we make changes to get better."

Cliff Lee's Rehab Start Limited To 24 Pitches By Rain

Cliff Lee's first rehabilitation start since going on the disabled list with a strained elbow was cut short.
The good news for the Phillies is that the outing wasn't limited due to a physical issue. Lee pitched well in his two innings for Class A Clearwater against Brevard County, allowing one hit and no runs and striking out the last two batters he faced.
The bad news is that the 24-pitch outing was about one-third of the work both Lee and the Phillies hoped he would get, as heavy downpours rolled into town as the Threshers batted in the top of the third. Lee threw more pitches on the side to extend his workout, but it might be difficult for the Phillies to send the veteran left-hander onto a big-league mound without one more rehab start that allows him to face batters deep into his pitch count.
That would mean the earliest Lee could return to the hill for the Phillies would be the first game after the All-Star break, July 18 against the Braves in Atlanta. That would mean at most three starts for Lee before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. While three strong starts could alleviate some worries about the health of his arm for teams interested in acquiring him in a deal from the Phillies, Lee still has at least $37.5 million guaranteed to him for next season, and it could be $52.5 million through 2016 if he were to accrue 200 innings in 2015 -- a massive amount of money for a pitcher who has missed six weeks due to an elbow issue. Lee was 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 starts before going on the D.L. May 19.

Cliff Lee's rehab start limited to two innings, 24 pitches by rain

Cliff Lee's first rehabilitation start since going on the disabled list with a strained elbow was cut short.
The good news for the Phillies is that the outing wasn't limited due to a physical issue. Lee pitched well in his two innings for Class A Clearwater against Brevard County, allowing one hit and no runs and striking out the last two batters he faced.
The bad news is that the 24-pitch outing was about one-third of the work both Lee and the Phillies hoped he would get, as heavy downpours rolled into town as the Threshers batted in the top of the third. Lee threw more pitches on the side to extend his workout, but it might be difficult for the Phillies to send the veteran left-hander onto a big-league mound without one more rehab start that allows him to face batters deep into his pitch count.
That would mean the earliest Lee could return to the hill for the Phillies would be the first game after the All-Star break, July 18 against the Braves in Atlanta. That would mean at most three starts for Lee before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. While three strong starts could alleviate some worries about the health of his arm for teams interested in acquiring him in a deal from the Phillies, Lee still has at least $37.5 million guaranteed to him for next season, and it could be $52.5 million through 2016 if he were to accrue 200 innings in 2015 -- a massive amount of money for a pitcher who has missed six weeks due to an elbow issue. Lee was 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 starts before going on the D.L. May 19.

-- DENNIS DEITCH