Phillies activate Durbin as bullpen returns to full strength

With the return of the versatile Chad Durbin, who was activated from the disabled list today, the Phillies bullpen is at full strength for the first time all season. To make room for Durbin, the Phils designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment, meaning they will continue to keep Rule 5 pickup David Herndon on the roster. While most would love to see Danys Baez removed from the roster at some point, the Phillies bullpen is stronger now than it has been all season now that guys like Mike Zagurski and Antonio Bastardo (who was activated from the DL and sent to the minors) aren't in the picture.

Now that everyone is back, here are the bullpen roles for the team:

Long relief:
Chad Durbin

Lefty:
J.C. Romero

6th inning:
David Herndon
Danys Baez

7th inning:
Jose Contreras
Chad Durbin

Setup man:
Ryan Madson

Closer:
Brad Lidge

Phillies roster shuffle: Romero activated, Happ to the DL

Sometimes you have to take the good news with the bad news: while one Phillies pitcher is returning from injury, another is going on the DL.

First, the good news: J.C. Romero has been activated. The lefty has been out all season dealing with elbow isssues but after several successful rehab appearances, he's ready to go. Romero will be a welcome sight to a Phillies bullpen that has been taxed on the days when Roy Halladay isn't pitching.

As for the bad news, the Phillies will be without J.A. Happ for at least his next start. Happ, who didn't feel right in a side pitching session today, will be placed on the 15 day DL due to a left forearm strain. Nelson Figueroa will be called upon to start in place of Happ, who isn't expected to be out for long. In fact, the way the rotation shakes out in the coming week, Happ could be activated after 15 days and only miss one start.

Like I've said with the injuries to Jimmy Rollins and Joe Blanton, it's better to have these minor tweaks in April rather than in September. Missing Happ for a couple of starts now won't have a huge impact in the long run for the Phillies especially when you have a capable spot starter like Figueroa ready to step in.

Nelson Figueroa returns to the Phillies

The Phillies have added a name from their past today, claiming pitcher Nelson Figueroa off waivers from the Mets. Figueroa, who played for the Phils back in 2001, figures to be added immediately to the major league roster, likely to be replacing Andrew Carpenter.

In his seven seasons in the majors, Figueroa, 35, has split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen. With the Phillies, he figures to be a long relief guy who will get inconsistent work at best. He got a lot of innings over the last two years with the Mets due to their injuries but I would only count on him to pitch in games that are basically already decided. What happens to Figueroa when Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero are healthy again is anyone's guess.

The Phillies needed another veteran arm in the bullpen and Figueroa fits that bill. He won't blow anyone away with his pitching numbers but he can give a quality inning or two when needed. Definitely another low-risk, medium reward move by Ruben Amaro.