Philles Place Myers on DL

May 25, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Michael Egnak
Edited by Ryan R. Bonini

The Sports Network reports Philadelphia Phillies CL Brett Myers (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder.

It had been reported that Myers injured his right shoulder in the team's game Wednesday, May 23. After throwing a pitch, he clutched his right arm. He returned home Thursday for further examination.

"It should be all right," Myers said then. "I don't think it popped or tore. If it did, I wouldn't have any strength in it, but I have strength in it."

Obviously, Myers was wrong. As if the Phillies bullpen already wasn't in trouble, now they have lost Myers for an extended period of time. The team did receive a much-needed reinforcement in reliever Ryan Madson (abdomen), who came off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, May 22.

With reliever Tom Gordon (shoulder, illness) still out, Madson could be the guy called upon for saves. One report indicated that relievers Antonio Alfonseca and Geoff Geary might also be used in ther role. Last year, when the club had lost Gordon for an extended period, the club used Gordon and former Phillies reliever Arthur Rhodes as closers. Therefore, it might not be a surprise that the role becomes situational or by committee. In all likelihood, Gordon is still at least a week away from returning to the team as well; he isn't expected to begin throwing until next week.

Madson is worth picking up and using until Gordon or Myers is ready to return. So far this year, Madson has a 2.95 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP through 21 1/3 innings. He does have a 0-2 record, but both losses came early in the season. Madson could have a few cheap opportunities against the Atlanta Braves or Arizona Diamondbacks. With Myers and Gordon likely returning soon, both should be owned in fantasy leagues.

If Madson isn't available, then for teams suddenly in need of a closer, Oakland Athletics reliever Alan Embree is the lead for saves in the short term while CL Huston Street (elbow) is on the disabled list. Embree has a 3.72 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings this season. He picked up his first save May 19.

To plan for a longer stint, fantasy owners might want to grab reliever Justin Duchscherer (hip). He typically serves as the backup closer, and when Street went down, Duchscherer would've likely taken on the job. However, a hip injury sidelined Duchscherer. He's eligible to return next week, though, and he'll likely be in the running for saves again. Duchscherer could end up being a longer-term solution because Street's injury is the type that may linger, forcing him to miss extended time. It's already know that Street won't be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the disabled list.

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Michael Egnak
Michael Egnak is a Hot Off The Wire Analyst at KFFL and has been with the company since 2005. Covering both NFL and MLB, Egnak is also a key contributor to KFFL's fantasy services.

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