Ruiz hit .255/.355/.425 with nine home runs, 43 RBI and three stolen bases this season.

Spin: Ruiz set a career high in home runs this season and improved on his .219 batting average from last season. The Phillies traded away prospect Lou Marson this season and the team loves Ruiz's defense and game calling so it seems highly likely that he'll be the team's starter again next season.Thu, Nov 5

Ruiz went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Dodgers.

Spin:

The Associated Press reports Philadelphia Phillies C Carlos Ruiz hit a three-run home run in Game 1 of the NLCS Thursday, Oct. 15.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports Colorado Rockies 3B Garrett Atkins, who is a virtual lock to be non-tendered, was teammates with Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley at UCLA. Atkins remains a strong possibility to sign with Philadelphia if he's cut loose.

Usually on Friday I go over one player who can be looked at keeping in keeper leagues, but the other day in the comments I was asked for some general fantasy baseball keeper league strategy.  A request and dedication, if you will.  For illustration purposes, let’s look at last year’s Chase Utley keeper post.  Go [...]

Utley hit .282/.397/.508 with a 31 home runs, 93 RBI, 112 runs scored and 23 stolen bases this season.

Spin: There were some concerns about how Utley would perform after offseason hip surgery but he showed those concerns were unfounded. His 23 stolen bases were a career high and he was not caught stealing on any of his attempts.Thu, Nov 5

Updating previous reports, SI.com's Jon Heyman reports the Philadelphia Phillies are intent on pursuing 3B Chone Figgins (Angels) hard. One American League general manager said the Phillies like the idea of possibly having Figgins lead off with OF Shane Victorino and SS Jimmy Rollins after him to have three leadoff hitters before their sluggers.

The Associated Press reports Philadelphia Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins won his fourth Gold Glove award.

Reuters - Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins won a National League Gold Glove award for the third consecutive season after producing the best fielding percentage in Major League Baseball.

Ben Francisco is starting in left field for Game 6 of the World Series. Francisco is 0-for-4 with a walk during the series. He'll bat eighth against Andy Pettitte. Just like in Game 1, Raul Ibanez will serve as the designated hitter.Source: Todd Zolecki on Twitter Related: Raul Ibanez

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports Philadelphia Phillies OF Shane Victorino (hand) is starting in center field in Game 6 of the World Series Wednesday, Nov. 4, with OF Raul Ibanez serving as the designated hitter and OF Ben Francisco playing left field.

If Shane Victorino (hand) can't go on Wednesday night, Francisco would start in his place in center field, the Philly Inquirer reports.

Spin: Francisco has experience in center, having started a number of games there this year for Cleveland when Grady Sizemore was on the DL.Tue, Nov 3

News: The Phillies added outfielder John Mayberry to the roster Saturday.

Analysis: Mayberry has speed, power and long-term potential, but he is nothing more than reserve for the Phillies and the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch

Phillies recalled outfielder John Mayberry Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Mayberry, a 6-foot-6 outfielder, has hit .189/.232/.453 with four home runs during his time in the bigs this season. His value is limited by a lack of available playing time in the Phillies' outfield.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Andy Martino reports on his Twitter page that the Philadelphia Phillies have recalled OF John Mayberry Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Philadelphia Daily News' David Murphy reports Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. shot down rumors that the team was open to trading SP Cole Hamels. "I have no thoughts about trading Cole Hamels," Amaro said. "I don't know where those rumors are coming out, but that is exactly what they are. Cole Hamels is our pitcher. We're keeping him. And I'm glad to have him."

Sportsnet.ca is reporting that, despite rumors of the Phillies including Cole Hamels in trade talks for Roy Halladay, Hamels will not be traded. Hamels was likely mentioned as a possibility after his controversial comments during the World Series.

Our View: Hamels would certainly seal the deal in a Halladay trade, but the Phils aren't moving their young lefty. How quickly people forget his 2008 World Series MVP. Expect him to be in a Phillies' uniform for many years to come.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro dismissed any speculation that he'd consider trading away Hamels, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Spin: This pretty much scuttles the notion that the Phils might get involved in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes this offseason. "I have no thoughts about trading Cole Hamels," Amaro said. "I don't know where those rumors are coming out, but that is exactly what they are. Cole Hamels is our pitcher. We're keeping him. And I'm glad to have him."Wed, Nov 11

News: Phillies SP Joe Blanton took a no-decision in Game 4 of the World Series against the Yankees on Sunday -- a game his team ultimately lost. He allowed four runs on five hits in six innings, issuing two walks and recording seven strikeouts.

Analysis: Blanton had one of his better seasons in the majors this year, winning 12 games and striking out 7.5 batters per nine innings. He's no ace, but as long as he's pitching for the contending Phillies next season, he's worth a middle-round pick in 2010

The Associated Press reports Philadelphia Phillies SP Joe Blanton has been tapped as the starter for Game 4 of the World Series Sunday, Nov. 1.

PHILADELPHIA -- The doubters screamed when Phillies manager Charlie Manuel named Pedro Martinez as his Game 2 starter. Now he's giving them more fodder. Manuel has tabbed Joe Blanton as his World Series Game 4 starter instead of bringing back Game ...

Moyer (groin/abdomen) will have another surgery later this offseason to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Spin: Moyer is slated to have that surgery in early December. He's signed through 2010, but will he be able to pitch?Wed, Nov 11

David Murphy, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Phillies SP Jamie Moyer (infection) returned to the team Sunday, Oct. 18, for the first time since being hospitalized last week with a blood infection.

Moyer (groin, abdomen), hospitalized late last week with a blood infection, was discharged Saturday from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Spin: A team spokesman said Moyer felt better and was taking antibiotics. Moyer underwent season-ending surgery to repair tears in his groin and abdominal muscles on Oct. 2.Sun, Oct 11

Todd Zolecki, of MLB.com, reports Philadelphia Phillies SP Antonio Bastardo's career could be in the bullpen, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. The team said Bastardo could be used to face left-handed hitters in the sixth inning or earlier in the playoffs this year.

Phillies.MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports Philadelphia Phillies IF Miguel Cairo, P Kyle Kendrick and P Antonio Bastardo are on the NLDS roster.

Bastardo has earned a spot on the Phillies' postseason roster, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Spin: Bastardo will provide a much-needed lefthanded arm in the Phillies' bullpen against a Rockies team that features a number of solid lefthanded hitters.Wed, Oct 7

Phillies.MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports Philadelphia Phillies RP Brad Lidge (elbow) had surgery to repair the flexor pronator tendon and had a loose body removed from his right elbow. "Brad could be one to two weeks behind in Spring Training, but, overall, we feel very good about his recovery time," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We're hopeful that he will be ready close to Opening Day."

Lidge had successful surgery on Wednesday to repair his flexor pronator tendon and also had a loose body removed from his right elbow, the Phillies' official site reports.

Spin: Lidge is expected to start throwing within eight weeks. "Brad could be one to two weeks behind in Spring Training, but, overall, we feel very good about his recovery time," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "We're hopeful that he will be ready close to Opening Day."‬Thu, Nov 12

Brad Lidge underwent surgery Wednesday to repair his flexor pronator tendon in his right hip and to have a loose body removed from his elbow. "Brad could be one to two weeks behind in spring training, but, overall, we feel very good about his recovery time," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We're hopeful that he will be ready close to Opening Day."‬ While there's been talk that the Phillies would sign a closer this winter, odds are that Lidge will have the job going into next season.Source: Phillies.mlb.com

Two stolen bases on one pitch. How does that happen?Damon Well, it happened Sunday night, in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the World Series -- a fellow named Johnny Damon doing the honors. And those of us who witnessed it are still buzzing about it."You know, I've seen guys do it," said Phillies pitcher Chad Durbin. "But not in such a big moment."Yeah, that would be kind of tough, since we know nobody else has ever stolen two bases on one pitch in the ninth inning of a tied World Series...

The Associated Press reports Philadelphia Phillies RP Chad Durbin retired all four batters he faced to get the win Wednesday, Oct. 21, during Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.

Pedro Martinez left his start after three innings because of neck stiffness in Philadelphia's game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.Martinez was trailing 3-0 when he approached the mound to begin warming up for the fourth. The right-hander, who gave up seven hits, three runs and one walk with one strikeout, never got the chance as manager Charlie Manuel brought in Chad Durbin.

Condrey was left off the Phillies' NLDS postseason roster, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Spin: Condrey, who suffered an oblique injury in June that sidelined him for nearly 3 months, was the victim of both limited playing time down the stretch and a glut of righthanders in the bullpen. He will travel with the team, but will not be available to play unless there is an injury.Wed, Oct 7

The Philadelphia Daily News' David Murphy reports Philadelphia Phillies RP Tyler Walker, SS Eric Bruntlett and RP Clay Condrey will not be included on the team's Divisional Series roster against the Colorado Rockies.

Philadelphia Phillies RP Clay Condrey (oblique) tossed one scoreless inning against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, Sept. 19, according to The Associated Press. It was his first appearance since July 22.

The Phillies will have Zagurski play in the Arizona Fall League which begins its season October 13, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Spin: Zagurski, who is working his way back from right hamstring surgery and left elbow surgery, is 3-4 with a 4.14 ERA and a 53:23 K:BB ratio in 45.2 innings at Double-A Reading this season. He needs to cut back on the walks a bit but his strong strikeout rate seems to indicate his stuff has returned post-surgery.Wed, Aug 26

The Phillies activated Zagurski (elbow) from the disabled list and optioned him to Double-A Reading, the Reading Phillies' official web site reports.

Spin: Zagurski missed all of 2008 to recover from right hamstring surgery and left elbow surgery. He'll pitch out of the bullpen at Double-A and could see time in the majors later this year.Sun, Apr 26

News: The Phillies reinstated LHP Michael Zagurski from the disabled list and optioned him to Class A Clearwater.

Analysis: Zagurski suffered a season-ending right hamstring injury in 2007 and missed all of last year with Tommy John surgery. He hasn't pitched with the big club since 2007 and should be ignored in Fantasy until he gets back into the bigs

The Phillies added Mathieson to the 40-man roster.

Spin: Mathieson was a top prospect back in 2006 and even reached the big leagues before undergoing elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery. He had another elbow procedure in 2007, then suffered a setback that required a second elbow ligament replacement last year. Mathieson went 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA and a 34:12 K:BB ratio at three minor league levels last season and has a 13:8 K:BB ratio in 11.2 innings over ten games for Scottsdale of the Arizona Fall League. The Phillies will likely give him a chance to compete for a bullpen spot this spring.Sun, Nov 15

The Phillies will have Mathieson play in the Arizona Fall League which begins its season October 13, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Spin: Mathieson is trying to work his way back to the majors after his third elbow operation. He's 4-0 with a 0.68 ERA and a 25:10 K:BB ratio in 26.1 innings across three minor league levels this season.Wed, Aug 26

The Phillies promoted Mathieson to Double-A Reading, the Delaware News Journal reports.

Spin: Mathieson allowed four hits, walked three and fanned nine in seven scoreless innings over five appearances at Single-A Clearwater as he works his way back from his third elbow operation. The Phillies' director of minor league operations Steve Noworyta, said Mathieson's velocity is back in the '90s and rising. Mathieson may find himself back in the majors later this year or next year if his stuff has returned.Wed, Jul 29