The Phillies are in chaos. The club lost again on Wednesday, dropping a 5-4 game in 13 innings in Washington to go to 3-10 on the year. Manager Charlie Manuel blew up at a radio host on Wednesday night, lacing into him with profanities until he needed to be removed from the scene by Phillies media representatives. Manuel made a very questionable decision earlier Wednesday as he sent Opening Day starter Brett Myers to the bullpen - as a setup man. Myers struck out 397 batters in 2005 and 2006. I suppose the last time a pitcher averaging 200 strikeouts a year was sent to the bullpen was John Smoltz and the Braves about five years ago. That was in response to Smoltz's recovery from elbow surgery, though. Even Kerry Wood's recent move to the bullpen was in response to injury concerns. Why have Manuel and the Phillies suddenly lost patience with Myers, who has only thrown 15 1/3 innings this year? And why move him to a role where he has relatively little value - not a closer role, but a setup man? The move is not likely to last for long.
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