Phillies Designate Jack Taschner for Assignment

The Phillies today designated former Giant Jack Taschner for Assignment in order to clear roster space for their starter in tonight’s game, former Oriole Rodrigo Lopez.  Taschner had pitched this year pretty much as he pitched for the Giants, which is to say without major league control.  He had a 5.20 ERA, had allowed 20 walks as against only 17 K’s in 27.2, and both left-handed and right-handed hitters were hitting over .300 against him.

It will be interesting to see if this is the end of Taschner’s major league career, or whether he’ll put it together back in the minors.  He’s only 31, and there’s always high demand for left-handed short relievers.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Paulino, the back-up catcher the Giants received from the Phillies for Taschner this past off-season and then promptly traded to the Marlins, is playing well in Miami, hitting .264 with a .744 OPS in 121 AB’s.  No hard feelings there: the Giants have no need for another catcher.

Hector Correa, the 21 year old pitcher the Giants received from the Marlins for Paulino, is still getting over his arm problems and has not pitched in a game in 2009.