Major League Baseball

Phillies Notes: Kendrick added; Dobbs off

Published Oct. 16, 2010 11:01 a.m. ET

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When Kyle Kendrick was left off the roster for the National League division series, he said he didn't view it as a personal slight. The Phillies told him this happens; normally teams don't carry their fifth starter in a five-game series. As examples they cited Jason Marquis and Barry Zito, both big-name starters, being left off postseason rosters in recent years.

That didn't make things any easier.

"I understand," Kendrick said. "It's frustrating. You're there the whole year and you work so hard to get to the spot and you can't help your team out. That's the hardest thing about it. It's nothing personal."

Kendrick will have his shot in the National League Championship Series against San Francisco. He was officially added to the roster Friday. He will replace Greg Dobbs, who was on the first-round roster but did not see game action.

That means rookie outfielder Domonic Brown remains on the team.

"This whole ride this year has been unbelievable," Brown said.

The decision was manager Charlie Manuel's, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

"We just felt like we'd be a better club with Brown," Amaro said. "It wasn't an easy decision. Both of them bring something to the table. But only 25 guys can be on the roster."

The Phillies had to make that decision because they went with only 10 pitchers in the best-of-five division series. In a longer, seven-game series, they did not want to take that risk, so an 11th pitcher (Kendrick) was added.

Removing Dobbs from the roster means he probably has played his last game as a Phillie. The 32-year-old utility man is eligible for arbitration this off-season and almost certainly will not be offered a contract by the Phillies. He thrived as the team's top pinch-hitter in the championship season of 2008 but struggled in the same role over the last two seasons.

Brown, the majors' top prospect as rated by Baseball America in its midseason report, appeared once in the division series. He reached base on a fielder's choice and scored a run.

Other than Wilson Valdez, the Phillies do not have a reserve third baseman. If Jimmy Rollins were to be injured, Valdez would play short, leaving a void behind Placido Polanco. The Phillies aren't worried about that.

"I think they've gotten ample rest," Amaro said. "One of the benefits of having some time off is these guys get some time. Jimmy is real close to getting to 100 percent. This gave him some time. Polanco had time to rest his elbow."

Brown's baserunning apparently put him over the top.

"As far as Dobbs and Brown's hitting, I think that's pretty much a wash," Manuel said. "I think if we get Domonic, he can be a base runner. You put him in the game, outfield, and he can go play."

Moyer healthy While the Phillies have been winning, 47-year-old lefthander Jamie Moyer has been biding his time. He threw 70 pitches in a recent bullpen session and said he has recovered from the two elbow injuries he suffered in July.

"I'm ready to pitch," Moyer said. "I'm healthy."

Moyer knows it's not happening, though. He has talked to the club and knows he isn't in their plans. Earlier talk about his going to the Instructional League passed by because he wasn't ready to pitch then, he said, and now it's too late for that.

Moyer will be a free agent at the end of the season and likely will have to accept a minor-league deal somewhere.

Extra bases Both teams held media days before working out at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. . . . Former Phillies outfielder Garry Maddox will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday night.

Contact staff writer Matt Gelb

at 215-854-2928

or mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @magelb.

Staff writer Mike Jensen contributed to this report.

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