Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Philadelphia optioned Myers to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Myers has 88 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings and his .284 average against is hardly that bad, but he was still ineffective because of all of the homers he allowed and he seemed to be scared of contact in his last start. Myers has struggled all season long and the Phillies had had enough, hoping that he can straighten things out in the minors. Myers, 3-9 after giving up five runs and getting knocked out without retiring a batter in the third inning in Friday night’s 8-7 loss at Texas, has a 5.84 ERA. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he spoke with Myers on Monday about accepting the assignment to work on his delivery. Myers will start Wednesday night against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “We don’t look at it as a demotion,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “We look at it as the means to getting his delivery right. He’s a guy we need.” Manuel said Myers, who saved 21 games in 2007 before returning to the rotation this season, will remain a starter when he returns. “Mentally this is going to give him a blow,” Manuel said. “He needs to get sharp. He needs to get his confidence up.” (CBS Sports)

Myers agreed to accept the assignment even though he could have refused because he has more than five years of service time. “I can’t say enough about Brett’s willingness to accept this assignment,” GM Pat Gillick said. “He understood and is eager to get back on track again. He’s struggling right now, but he is a quality major league pitcher who we are going to need in the second half of the season.” (Rotoworld)

As for who will replace him for his next start, Philadelphia has stated it will make a decision on Wednesday. Cole Hamels would be able to go on five days rest, while middle-reliever and former starter Chad Durbin as well as lefty J.A. Happ from Triple-A appear to be the other two candidates. (Rotowire)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Thomas Hanson, Braves [$3 bid, reserve]
• P Jared Burton, Reds [$2 bid, reserve]

Up:

• P Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals
• P Charlie Morton, Braves

Down:

• P Brett Myers, Phillies

Cut:

• P Sean Marshall, Cubs
• C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies

Ike over at Nine Bo Jacksons just ran through the biggest surprises and disappointments at the halfway mark for both hitters and pitchers. The system uses PECOTA and compares pre-season valuations to actual. Values indicate amount that the player is performing over/under projections. Here’s how some of the Atomic Roadrunners fared:

Hitters

Surprises:

• Ryan Theriot - $25.79
• Gregor Blanco - $21.74

Disappointments:

• Andruw Jones - -$31.92
• Prince Fielder - -$16.06

Pitchers

Surprises:

• Todd Wellemeyer - $14.44

Disappointments:

• Brett Myers - -$36.01

(He only ran the top/bottom 25 of each)

GM Pat Gillick, pitching coach Rich Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel have all hinted that Myers might have his spot in the rotation skipped this week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. And according to the AP, the Phillies are considering moving Myers back to the bullpen. “I want to make sure we do what’s right for our team and Brett,” Manuel said.

With Myers slated to start Thursday night in Atlanta, Manuel said the Phils could move right-handed reliever Chad Durbin to the rotation, although he has been a critical part of their best-in-the-league bullpen. The Phillies could summon a starter from the minors, either Triple-A lefty J.A. Happ or Double-A right-hander Carlos Carrasco, their top pitching prospect. Right-hander Kris Benson continues to progress from March 2007 shoulder surgery, although after allowing four runs in four innings Sunday in his first Triple-A start, it seems Benson needs a few more starts before he is ready to return to the majors. “I’ll think about what I want to do,” Manuel said. “We could do something with Durbin. I think it depends on how far we think Myers can go in our bullpen. If something like that would happen and he could end up helping out in the back end of our bullpen, if we could see that kind of improvement in him, yeah, that might be.” (CBS Sports)

Skipping Myers in the rotation might be what’s best for him to clear his head right now, though a return to the bullpen — and presumably not the closer’s role, given the success of Brad Lidge — would significantly hurt his potential fantasy value. He’s doing fine with 88 strikeouts in 101.2 innings, but everything else is a mess, from the 44 walks to the 24 home runs to the 115 hits. Even if he does start this week, Myers has been hit hard lately and would be slated to face the Braves this week, against whom he allowed six earned runs in 4.1 innings in a start earlier this year, so he should be on your bench this week. The Phils would turn to Chad Durbin or minor leaguer J.A. Happ to take his place. (Rotowire, Rotoworld)

Brett Myers lasted just two-plus innings and allowed five runs Friday versus the Rangers. Myers might have turned gun-shy tonight. He’s so worried about the home run ball that he wasn’t throwing strikes. He walked four and exactly half of his 66 pitches were balls. Myers allowed a homer to Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler on a second-pitch fastball. He almost completely abandoned his fastball thereafter. Of his 66 pitches, only 24 (36.4 percent) were fastballs. Normally, 50 to 55 percent of his pitches are fastballs. “Somewhere, he’s lost that edge,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “Some of it’s delivery-wise. Some of it is approach. Sometimes, you’ve got to trust the stuff and get after it. This is stuff we go through on a regular basis with him.” Myers might get his wish to return to the bullpen, but it won’t be as a closer. This is something to track in all Fantasy leagues, because Myers’ Fantasy value would drop to near zero as a setup man. The Phillies may be getting to the point of seriously considering putting Myers back in the bullpen. If they were to try it, they could have him and Chad Durbin switch spots or call up J.A. Happ to fill the rotation vacancy. (CBS Sports, Rotoworld)

Brett Myers took a loss to the Angels after allowing four runs in 7 2/3 innings on Saturday. Myers allowed only eight batters to reach — one on an intentional walk — and struck out seven, but giving up three more homers doomed him. He’s surrendered a major league-high 23 homers on the year. (Rotoworld)

Brett Myers surrendered six runs over six innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Cardinals. Myers went four straight outings without allowing a homer and had nice results in the process, but he’s now given up five bombs in two outings, taking his season total to a major league-high 20. His strikeout rate is fine and his walk rate isn’t bad, but he can’t give up that many homers and hope to post a respectable ERA. (Rotoworld)

Phillies SP Brett Myers’ first-inning ERA this season rose from 11.08 to 12.21 when he allowed three runs to the hosting Marlins on Tuesday. He lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs and seven hits while striking out five and walking four. He suffered his eighth defeat and now has just one win in his last 10 starts. Myers had come off back-to-back good starts, allowing a 2.35 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. He has struggled in his transition from the bullpen back to the starting rotation, but he has the potential to serve as a No. 2 Fantasy SP when going well. Hang on to him despite his poor record and ERA. Home run hitters have loved Myers this season, as he has now allowed 18 homers in 86 innings. The Phillies have lost eight of his last nine starts. His next start — and second of Fantasy Week 11 — is scheduled for Sunday at St. Louis. (CBS Sports, Rotowire)

Brett Myers is set to face the Marlins on Tuesday, whom he went eight innings against with 11 strikeouts while giving up just three runs, six hits and three walks two starts ago on May 30. Myers has pitched well his last four starts and is coming off a gem against the Reds in his last outing, so he makes for a pretty good start on Tuesday.

Up:

• SP Brett Myers

Down:

• SP Greg Reynolds

Notes:

• Stanimals picked up former Roadrunner Matt Herges for $0 FAAB today.  He cut Dodgers P Esteban Loaiza.
• Misogynistic Padres picked up former Roadrunner Reynel Pinto for $0 FAAB today.  He cut Brewers P Derrick Turnbow.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• SP Jason Bergmann, Nationals [$2 bid, Add to Actives]
• SP Greg Reynolds, Rockies [$0 bid, Add to Actives]
• 2B Aaron Miles, Cardinals [$0 bid]

Up:

• P Carlos Villanueva
• OF Ryan Spilborghs

Down:

• OF John Bowker
• P Brett Myers
• P Reynel Pinto
• P Manny Acosta

Cut:

• P Nelson Figueroa
• P Chuck James
• OF Matt Murton

Note:

New acquisition Jason Bergmann was released by Misogynistic Padres on May 6th. He had originally been selected in the 4th Round of the 2008 WBRL Minor League draft (with $10 assigned salary).

The Braves teed off on Phillies SP Brett Myers (2-4) during a 8-6 win Wednesday against Philadelphia. Yunel Escobar led off with a home run and Chipper Jones hit an opposite-field drive one batter later to make it 2-0. Kelly Johnson connected in the second and Brian McCann’s two-run double in the third put the Braves ahead 5-0. Myers left to a chorus of boos in the fifth, and sat by himself in the dugout. He allowed eight runs (six earned) and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six.

Myers has now given up 15 home runs this season, the most in the major leagues. His 5.91 ERA is the worst on the Phillies’ staff. He had success as a closer last year and thoroughly enjoyed the role, but he became a starter again after the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge from Houston. Lidge is 10-for-10 in save chances with a 0.50 ERA. Myers is winless in his last five starts (0-3) and the Philly fans, as well as Fantasy owners, have every right to boo him. His next start comes against the Nationals, the only team to face him and not homer off him so far this year. After a promising start against the Giants on May 3, Myers has been shellacked twice. His strikeout rate is still very good (now 48 in 53.1 innings), but he’s allowed 15 home runs over his nine starts. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Brett Myers lasted just five innings Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing seven runs — six earned — while falling to 2-3 on the year. Among nine hits, Myers served up a first-inning homer to Chris Young that gives him at least one long ball allowed in seven straight starts. The rough outing sends his ERA to 5.33 and Myers will get another tough matchup next week at home against the Braves. (Rotoworld)

Brett Myers fanned 10 over seven innings while allowing only two runs, but the Phillies lost to the Giants 3-2 in extra innings. Myers let up six hits and walked three. He left a tie game after throwing 127 pitches and the Giants ended up scoring in the top of tenth to secure the win. “I felt pretty good, but I still have some things to work on,” Myers said. “My fastball felt better, and I was able to locate.” Myers hasn’t been the dominant pitcher the Phillies hoped he’d be after a successful stint as a closer last year. But he took a step toward regaining the form that made him Philadelphia’s ace before he was shifted to the bullpen. Myers enjoyed his stint closing and didn’t want to return to the rotation, so hopefully he’s not pitching with sour grapes now. This start makes him worth using in all Fantasy leagues again, but he has a tough matchup in his next start Thursday at Arizona. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Brett Myers said Sunday that decreased velocity is to blame for his struggles, which include allowing 10 homers in six starts. “I’m lost,” Myers said. “I’m lost throwing 88 mph. I’m thinking I’m still a fastball pitcher because I usually am. I usually establish my fastball early in the game. I’ve always been that guy. I’ve always done that. But right now I’m going to other crap earlier than I want to. Usually if I’m behind in the count 2-1 or 3-1, I’m never pitching backward. Right now I’m pitching backward.” This news comes as a relatively high concern for Myers, as the power righty normally relies on his fastball to hit around 95 m.p.h. Myers has maintained that he is healthy and that his arm feels fine, so hopefully he will be able to figure out the problem. If you are a Myers owner, think twice about having him active in your lineup until he can prove to be back on track. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Myers had a 10-minute, closed-door meeting with manager Charlie Manuel after allowing four runs on eight hits Sunday in a 5-1 loss to the Pirates. “I’m trying to throw as hard as I can every time,” said Myers. “There are no mis-hits. Arm feels fine. That’s the thing why I can’t figure it out. It’s not like I’m hurt. It’s not like it’s aching. Right now, it just ain’t coming out. It’s like doo-doo going up there.” “I haven’t seen his (good) fastball,” Manuel said, and Myers admitted he has stayed away from the pitch because his velocity has dropped from 92-95 to 88-90 for no reason he can fathom. “Doo-doo” is a nice way to put how Myers has been pitching over his last two starts. His roller coaster season will continue in Fantasy Week 5 (April 28-May 5) with a start against the Giants on Saturday. He is supposed to go against Barry Zito, but Zito might move up a day to replace the injured Kevin Correia. If that does happen, Myers would face Matt Cain instead. Myers is worth starting in most Fantasy formats for the period, regardless of who he faces, but you never know what you’re going to get. (CBS Sports)