Major League Baseball

Josh Lindblom, Nate Schierholtz join Phillies

Published Aug. 1, 2012 11:47 p.m. ET

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Josh Lindblom and Nate Schierholtz spent four months in the middle of a tight pennant race. Now, as a result of two separate trades, they're playing for the last-place Philadelphia Phillies.

Both are determined to make the best of the situation.

Lindblom and Schierholtz reported to the Phillies on Wednesday. Lindblom, a right-handed reliever, came from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal for Shane Victorino. Schierholtz, an outfielder, was obtained from San Francisco along with catching prospect Tommy Joseph and right-hander Seth Rosin for Hunter Pence.

Victorino and Pence were unloaded just before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline by the Phillies, who began play Wednesday 46-57 and 15 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East. Los Angeles and San Francisco, conversely, were running neck-and-neck for the top spot in the NL West.

''There's a lot of baseball left,'' Lindblom said. ''All the pieces are here to make a run, especially with the second wild card out there.''

Lindblom appeared eager to meet his new teammates and to make an impression on manager Charlie Manuel.

''It's almost like the first day of school,'' Lindblom said. ''I'm trying to meet the guys, get to know their names. I'm excited.''

Lindblom was 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 48 games with Los Angeles. He hopes to ultimately pitch in the seventh or eighth inning for Philadelphia, but said: ''I know I'm going to have to get my feet wet to work into that role.''

Schierholtz hit .257 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 77 games for the second-place Giants. He was in Philadelphia's starting lineup Wednesday, batting second and playing right field against Washington.

''I know there's a lot of upside here,'' Schierholtz said. ''I don't see any reason why we can't start winning games and make a run.''

The Phillies are not officially out of it, but it's going to take a heck of a surge over the final 59 games to get back into contention.

''We've really got to play good,'' Manuel said. ''For us to have a chance at something, we have to play a high percentage. We have 59 games left, and we probably have to win 45. But I've seen teams get in with 84 wins.''

For the Phillies to finish 84-78, they'd have to go 38-21 down the stretch.

In another move Wednesday, Philadelphia designated infielder Mike Fontenot for assignment and recalled utility player Michael Martinez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. This will be Martinez's second stint this year with the Phillies.

Manuel said the move was made because Martinez can play several positions in the infield and outfield.

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