NLCS Roster: Chan Ho Park In, Brett Myers Out

So, as we noted in today’s News Journal, the Phillies have made some changes to their roster for the NLCS.

Chan Ho Park and Eric Bruntlett are in.

Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick are out.

The Phillies believe Park is healthy after missing nearly a month with a right hamstring strain, and Myers hasn’t been effective since he returned in late September from a strained upper-back muscle. Park figures to return to his mid- to late-inning relief role, though it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to pitch multiple innings, as he did before he suffered the injury on Sept. 16. The Phillies had hoped in early September that Myers, a free agent after the season, could play a key role in the bullpen when he returned from hip surgery. But it’s possible Charlie Manuel pushed him too hard, too fast, leading to the strained lat muscle that sidelined him for nearly three weeks.

Bruntlett-for-Kendrick was a more surprising, though understandable, move. Kendrick’s role was as a long reliever, and with five true starters already on the roster (Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, Pedro Martinez), there seemingly wasn’t any need for another. If Kendrick was going to pitch, it would’ve been in a situation like Game 3 of the Division Series, when Happ lasted only three innings. But Manuel opted to use Blanton, and it’s safe to say, he’d do so again if the need arises. Meanwhile, the Phillies had to use Lee as a pinch-runner in Game 2 against Colorado, an uncomfortable situation considering his status as the staff ace. Bruntlett’s presence should mean the Phillies won’t have to resort to that again. We don’t have to tell you that Bruntlett had a poor season, but he’s defensively verstaile and he has speed (don’t forget he scored two game-winning runs in the World Series after entering as a pinch-runner).

Here’s the full roster:

Pitchers (11): Hamels, Lee, Martinez, Blanton, Happ, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Antonio Bastardo, Park.

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Paul Bako.

Infielders (7): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo, Eric Bruntlett.

Outfielders (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Ben Francisco, Matt Stairs.

Still no official announcement on a Game 2 starter, but all indications are it’s Pedro. Should make for an interesting pregame session at Dodger Stadium.