That Bastardo Can Pitch

It didn't take long for J.C. Romero to return from a calf strain but it might have hindered his role in the Phillies bull pen.

Romero returned to the Phillies yesterday but he pitched in a different role. He threw a scoreless inning yesterday in the seventh inning but the Phillies were already up 7-1. Heading into the season, Romero was penciled in as their lefthander that would throw later in games and Antonio Bastardo would be in a mop-up role. Now they have seemed to flip-flop their spots in the bullpen.

Before yesterday's game manager Charlie Manuel said "I'll keep J.C. more in the same role he's been in (as a situational lefthander)," he then said "Bastardo is starting to prove that he's pitching towards the back end of the bullpen."

Bastardo has really developed into a good bullpen pitcher this year, allowing only one earned run this season while striking out 18 batters in just 11innings pitched. With so many injuries to the back end of the bullpen Bastardo has had an opportunity to pitch later in ball games and has done well. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has been impressed with Bastardo and knows the bullpen is a tough role, saying that it takes time for a young pitcher to get comfortable in a relief role.

After pitching out of the bullpen for a full year in the minors it seems that Bastardo is now understanding and comfortable with his role on the Phillies. Bastardo has really matured and has fixed his command problems. Las year he didn't have the best control of his pitches but he seems to have figured that out this season. Early in his career he had problems walking batters but that seems to be a thing of the past. With more time and more opportunities Bastardo will turn out to be one of the better lefty pitchers out of the bullpen in the majors.