The trade of Jason Phillips vaulted Ramon Castro into a likely role as Met backup catcher and his uni number went flying too. Castro’s status seems solidified by a switch from the non-rosterly 72 to the backup catcherly 11. With a week to go until the bell rings, notable recent cuts include Jae Seo 26, Scott Strickland 28, Jeff Keppinger 6, and Scott Stewart 32.
Tag Archive for Jason Phillips
Kaz-Zam
The Mets wasted little time replenishing rotation depth following Steve Trachsel’s injury, trading for left-handed Dodgers project Kaz Ishii, who arrived in St. Lucie today and summarily put on the No. 23 uniform of the guy he was traded for, Jason Phillips.
Ishii’s control problems have frustrated Dodger fans for years, and Rick Peterson is certain to have his hands full, but there’s no denying Ishii has some ability and when you can get a starting pitcher for a backup catcher you generally do it, so we’re on board. We’ll certainly miss Phillips’ goofy glasses and his line-drive hitting if that happens to come back, but inasmuch as the trade provides him with a chance to play more often in an attempt to erase the disaster of 2004 from his mind, we’re all for that too. The Ishii-Phillips trade is the 19th known addition to the all-time Uni-Swap list.
Congrats to the Phillipses and DePastinos
The Mets today sent down pitcher Jeremy Griffiths 46 for a few days while Jason Phillips 23 attends the birth of his son. The move provided a rare opportunity to 12-year minor league vet catcher Joe DePastino, who made his long-awaited Major League debut tonight in Houston wearing No. 10.
Strange Up, Phillips Down, Strickland hurt, Cerda back
The Mets on Saturday began packing for their upcoming visit to Denver by calling up pitcher Pat Strange 38 and demoting yo-yo/catcher Jason Phillips 23. Strange was up briefly this season but did not play. Here’s his chance. On Sunday, the Mets put reliever Scott Strickland on the disabled list with a groin thingy, and recalled AAA reliever Jaime Cerda 43.
Super Joe Goes Down
Paying the price for an overworked bullpen and an undewhelming offense, the struggling Mets on Wednesday recalled pitcher Jason Middlebrook 27 and sent down utilityman Super Joe McEwing 11. Joe may return in a few weeks. Or he may not. Update: Middlebrook wasn’t long for his stay. As the Mets returned to New York Friday, he went back to Norfolk and Bono-rific catcher Jason Phillips 23 was called up for a second tour.
The McKnighthood of Jason Phillips
Mike Piazza’s punishment for his attempted assault of cowardly Dodger pitcher Guillermo Mota has created the potential for third-string backstop Jason Phillips cracking the roster in the early going. Should Phillips see action, it would be while wearing his third “official” different uniform number as a Met and his 4th overall: Quite an accomplishment for a guy with only 26 Major-League at-bats!
To explain: Phillips was called up to Mets in May of 2001 and issued a jersey — No. 3 — but did not appear in a game before being sent back to AA Binghamton. Later that year Phillips made his “official” Met debut in No. 26 — his No. 3 had in the meantime been issued to Vance Wilson. Twenty-six was issued to Marco Scutaro prior to Phillips’ September call-up of 2002 so Phillips instead wore No. 7. This spring, the Mets dressed superstar-in-waiting Jose Reyes in No. 7 and told Phillips to take No. 23, which would be his likely number the next time he appears as a Met. The Goggled One still has two more uni-switches ahead of him if he wants to catch all-time uni-number leader Jeff McKnight but he’s off to a great start!
Updates
The lens of photographer Ed Tsunoda captures the Mets in action and the following (unofficial) changes: Aaron Heilman wearing 48 (not 23), with Jason Phillips in 23 (switching to accomodate uberprospect Jose Reyes 7). Jae Wong Seo is wearing No. 40 with Pat Strange keeping 38. Also, David Cone is now wearing No. 16 (thanks, Stephen).
Rooie Roundup
The Mets today called up pitchers Tyler Walker, Satoru Komiyama and Pedro Feliciano,outfielder Esix Snead and catcher Jason Phillips; and recalled utilityman Marco Scutaro on Sunday. Walker (46), Komiyama (17) and Scutaro (26) will retain the digits they wore in previous visits. Phillips takes No. 7 — he was 26 last year. Snead was issued No. 23, which doesn’t bode well for the return of McKay Christensen; and Feliciano gets 55, making theShawn Estes deal a Uni-Swap. Ty Wigginton 9 is also back
(More) Tides Roll In
Norfolk’s dismissal in the International League playoffs results in 4 additional call-ups. Returning are Alex Escobar 25 and Dicky Gonzalez 39. New to the squad are catcher Jason Phillips 26 and reliever Mark Corey 27.
