Phillies rotation in limbo

After LHP Antonio Bastardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday, it is unknown who will be the replacement in the Phillies rotation.
On Monday, Phillies young lefty Antonio Bastardo (2-3, 6.75 ERA) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained shoulder.

One day later, it is still unknown who will replace Bastardo in the starting rotation. After Blanton matches up against Atlanta tonight in Game 1 of the series, Hamels has been pushed up to pitch in Game 2 and Happ for Game 3.
But when the Phils start a three-game series against division rival New York Mets on Friday, it is unclear who will be called up to pitch.

Gustavo Chacin and Kyle Kendrick of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs are most likely out of the running as Chacin pitched yesterday and Kendrick is slated to pitch tonight.

That leaves three possible pitchers who could be brought up from Lehigh Valley be available to pitch on Friday night: Carlos Carrasco, Drew Carpenter and Rodrigo Lopez.

Carrasco — seemingly the front-runner— has been rated the top Phillies pitching prospect by Baseball America the past three years. Although his 4-7 record 4.92 ERA may not wow anyone, the young right hander has shown the hot hand as of late as he has allowed just six runs in 19.2 innings pitched in his last three starts.

Carpenter is probably the most consistent of the three probables. Carpenter, who got the win in the one game he started earlier this season for the Phillies, is 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA in thirteen games started for the Iron Pigs.

The final as well as most unknown candidate is 33-year old Rodrigo Lopez. Who, after being hurt most of last season was released by the Braves in November, is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA in 13 starts.

My vote is for Carrasco. Although there would be added pressure as he would be facing the Mets, their lineup is decimated with injuries and it could be a good spot for him to get his first Major League start. Also, if he lives up to his expectations, he could be the fifth starter the Phillies starting staff needs.