Lopez Starting Friday

For a few days it looked like Carlos Carrasco would make his Major League debut. However, that is not the case. Rodrigo Lopez will start on Friday against the New York Mets.

Lopez is 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in his Major League career. In 2007, he had Tommy John Surgery and spent most of the 2008 season recovering. The Phillies signed Lopez to a minor league deal after spring training. In 13 starts with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lopez is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA and opponents are batting .292 against him.

I think the Phillies should have given Carrasco a chance. Yes, he has struggled at Triple-A, but he has proven to be a great pitcher in the past. A change of scenery may help him, and that could of been minor leagues to majors.

Lopez has experience, but his numbers do not blow anyone away. He has been very inconsistent in the minors. One day he'll pitch six shutout innings, the next outing he will pitch three innings and give up five earned runs. You never know what to expect from Lopez.

In other news, Raul Ibanez will not be playing at Reading tonight for pre-cautionary reasons. Even though there are no setbacks, it is unlikely he will return this weekend, but should be able to start rehabbing tomorrow.