SB Nation Philly - Phillies Reportedly Signing Infielder Mike Fontentot To Minor League Contracthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48987/philly-fave.png2012-04-24T11:04:38-04:00http://philly.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25737632012-04-24T11:04:38-04:002012-04-24T11:04:38-04:00Chase Utley Injury Update: Phillies Second Basemen Practices Before Monday's Game
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> lost to the Arizona Diamondback on Monday, however, lost in the shuffle of Philly's fourth straight loss was the return of second basemen <span>Chase Utley</span> to the diamond. Utley, who hasn't played yet this season because of a knee injury, <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20120424_Injured_Utley_connects_with_Phillies_in_Arizona__takes_batting_practice.html">wasn't in the lineup but he did take battling practice and fielded ground balls</a> before Monday's contest.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I'm not happy that I'm not playing," Utley, 33, said. "But I'm looking at it from a positive, like I always have. I've definitely gained strength over the past three weeks."</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20120424_Injured_Utley_connects_with_Phillies_in_Arizona__takes_batting_practice.html">According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer</a>, Utley has been rehabbing in Phoenix at Fischer Sports Therapy and has gone from having a sting of pain every time he took the field in Spring Training to having no pain, just soreness, on Monday.</p>
<p>Utley did not reveal a timetable for his return, but Gelb hints that it maybe around the same amount of time as he missed in 2011 (46 games).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I'd like to be back right now," Utley said. "I have to listen to my body, and right now it's telling me to continue to move forward with the things I'm doing. I don't want to put a certain date on it because I don't want to force something that's not ready to happen. When my knee is ready to go, I'll be out there."</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates.</i></div>
<p> </p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br></div>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/4/24/2971505/chase-utley-injury-update-philadelphia-phillies-return-progress-2012Jared Smith2012-04-13T17:11:51-04:002012-04-13T17:11:51-04:00Phillies Reportedly Signing Infielder Mike Fontentot To Minor League Contract
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> appeared to be the winner in veteran infielder <span>Mike Fontenot's</span> deliberations. Fontenot was trying to decide between offers from Philadelphia and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>.</p>
<p>Fontenot has reportedly chosen the Phillies and will sign a minor league contract with the club (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JimBowdenESPNxm/status/190901335208636418" target="_blank">via Jim Bowden's Twitter</a>). Philadelphia has a great need of a veteran infielder due to injuries. With <span>Chase Utley</span> out, the Phillies have been starting rookie <span>Freddy Galvis</span> at second base.</p>
<p>Fontenot was released by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> in late March. Last season for San Francisco, Fontenot hit .227 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI in 220 at-bats. His career average is a bit higher at .263 than what he showed in 85 games in 2011. While Fontenot has played second base, shortstop and third base, he has spent the majority of his career at second. His fielding percentage is also best at second base.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates.</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/4/13/2946917/phillies-reportedly-signing-infielder-mike-fontentot-to-minor-league-deal-chase-utley-freddy-galvisPat Johnston2012-04-04T19:33:41-04:002012-04-04T19:33:41-04:002012 Phillies Spring Training: Philadelphia Reportedly Interested In Mike Fontenot
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> could be seeking some last-minute infield help before the 2012 season starts in free agent <span>Mike Fontenot</span> (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jonmorosi/status/187661958747660288" target="_blank">via Jon Morosi's Twitter</a>). The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> released Fontenot on March 30.</p>
<p>Philadelphia will be missing <span>Chase Utley</span> indefinitely as the second baseman rehabs his injured knees in Arizona. Fontenot has played several positions during his big league career, but his spent most of his time at second base.</p>
<p>In 85 games for San Francisco last season, Fontenot hit .227 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI in 220 at-bats. The left-handed hitting veteran bats .263 for his MLB career (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, Giants) with an on-base percentage of .332 and a slugging percentage of .406. Out of second base, third base and shortstop, Fontenot's fielding percentage is best at second base (.981).</p>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates.</i></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/4/4/2926391/2012-phillies-spring-training-interest-in-mike-fontenot-chase-utley-injuryPat Johnston2012-04-02T22:44:45-04:002012-04-02T22:44:45-04:00Phillies Spring Training 2012: Freddy Galvis Drives In Winning Run Over Pirates
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> won the first of two exhibition games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> before the two teams face off for real on Opening Day on Thursday. <span>Freddy Galvis</span> hit an RBI triple in the seventh inning to put the Phillies up 4-3 for good. </p>
<p>The Phillies had to juggle the top of their lineup around with <span>Chase Utley</span> and <span>Ryan Howard</span> out. <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> was moved into the No. 3 slot, hitting a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a line drive RBI double in the third. <span>Juan Pierre</span> took over leadoff duties and did well, scoring two runs.</p>
<p><span>Joe Blanton</span> started for Philly, allowing two runs and and three hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Phillies took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning, but <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> hit a solo run in the sixth to tie the game at 3 runs apiece.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/4/2/2921546/phillies-spring-training-2012-pirates-final-scoreLouis Bien2012-04-02T09:00:14-04:002012-04-02T09:00:14-04:00Phillies Spring Training 2012: Grapefruit League Schedule
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Finally, just a few short days separate the Philadelphia Philles<span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/boston-red-sox"></a> and their first </span>regular season game against the<span class="sbn-auto-link"> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a></span> on Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>It's been a bumpy ride for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> so far. The team has been plagued by its fair share of injuries in Spring Training, with <span>Chase Utley</span> the most notable Phillie missing serious time.</p>
<p>The team has performed poorly on the field, having just a 12-16 mark and allowing more runs than any other team in the Grapefruit League sans the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> and Pirates.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link">However, with a bevy of talent still healthy and ready to get going, Philadelphia should be a force for the long haul. The pitching will fall into place with <span>Roy Halladay</span>, <span>Cliff Lee</span> and <span>Cole Hamels</span> leading the charge. The big question is how many runs can this team score with Utley and <span>Ryan Howard</span> missing time? <br></span></p>
<p>Soon enough, we'll all find out.</p>
<p>Monday, April 2: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:05 p.m. ET</p>
<p>The Phillies will host the Pirates in a mini two game set before the regular season commences.</p>
<p>Tuesday, April 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:05 p.m. ET</p>
<p>They do it all again before getting ready to meet each other when it counts on Thursday.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/4/2/2919726/2012-philadelpia-phillies-spring-training-scheduleMatt Verderame2012-03-31T12:57:02-04:002012-03-31T12:57:02-04:00Jose Contreras Injury: Phillies Reliever Will Likely Start Season On Disabled List
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, <span>Jose Contreras</span> is likely to start the season on the disabled list. Contreras is still recovering from elbow surgery he had in September, but he might not be on the <a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-talk/Phils-Contreras-likely-to-go-on-disabled?blockID=680492&feedID=693&awid=7639364453328920010-711" target="_blank">DL that long</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Contreras will stay in Florida when the team heads north on Sunday and he will pitch in minor-league games. He could come off the disabled list on April 10, when the season will be just four games old.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The 40 year old pitched 14 innings for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> last season, notching five saves while sporting a 3.86 ERA. Despite his age, Contreras still has plenty of velocity on his fastball. He averaged 92.5 MPH last season, which is a tick higher than his career average of 91.8.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/3/31/2916322/jose-contreras-injury-philadelphia-phillies-mlb-spring-training-2012Jordan Sams2012-03-29T18:41:10-04:002012-03-29T18:41:10-04:00Phillies Spring Training 2012: Juan Pierre Lands Spot On Philadelphia Roster
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Veteran outfielder <span>Juan Pierre</span> has made the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> roster, the team announced on Thursday (<a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-talk/Juan-Pierre-wins-spot-on-Phillies-roster?blockID=679470&feedID=704" target="_blank">via CSN Philly</a>).</p>
<p>Pierre had been signed to a minor league contract in January and was competing with <span>Scott Podsednik</span>, another veteran on a minor league contract, for an outfielder spot. The team said Podsednik remains with the organization and still has a chance to make the roster.</p>
<p>Podsedenik wasn't so sure about that possibility.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It's not looking too good," said Podsednik, who met with team officials late Thursday afternoon. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Pierre's contract mandated that he made the 40-man roster by this Friday, or be released. Pierre, who is hitting .313 in Spring Training, was not made available for comment.</p>
<p>Last season, Pierre hit .279 for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> and had 178 hits (26 more than any of the Phillies' players). Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said about Pierre</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"When I do lineups, there are some positions I like Pierre in," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's done a lot of things in his career. He'll stay ready and he works his butt off. He wants to play. However I want to use him, I feel he's a fit." </p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/3/29/2912543/phillies-spring-training-2012-juan-pierre-scott-podsednikPat Johnston2012-03-29T14:46:29-04:002012-03-29T14:46:29-04:00Phillies Spring Training 2012: Cliff Lee On Phillies' Depth
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> have been without <span>Ryan Howard</span> and <span>Chase Utley</span> all spring training and don't know when either will return.</p>
<p>Starting pitcher <span>Cliff Lee</span> understands that losing both stars is a harsh blow, but points towards the Phillies' depth as evidence that the team can survive injuries to key players.</p>
<p>"We've got a lot of guys. We're not leaning on one or two guys offensively or one or two guys on the mound. We've got depth and we've got guys who are more than capable of stepping in and filling in those holes that are left when --- you can't replace Utley or Howard, but we've dealt with injuries before with keys guys and figured out a way to get it done," said Lee.</p>
<p>To watch Lee's entire interview, <a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/video?PID=_aXkFb_ULTJ6dZtZdYPcISrOy1KVnZdO">click here</a> or watch the video below:</p>
<p><embed bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="379" flashvars="v=http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/PDK/CSN/vars.txt&overlayImageURL=http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/PDK/CSN/logo/csnphi.png&pluginAkamai=type=player|URL=http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/web_45/swf/akamaiHD.swf|priority=1|hosts=-f.akamaihd.net&pluginTremor=type=plugin|URL=http://objects.tremormedia.com/embed/swf/tpacudeoplugin46.swf|progId=4f0dc295d2b6e&skinURL=http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/web_45/swf/skinGlass.swf&releaseURL=http://link.theplatform.com/s/-/_aXkFb_ULTJ6dZtZdYPcISrOy1KVnZdO?MBR=true&zone=video_home&playerURL=http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/video?PID=_aXkFb_ULTJ6dZtZdYPcISrOy1KVnZdO&embeddedPlayerHTML=%3CEMBED+SRC%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2Fweb_45%2Fswf%2FflvPlayer.swf%22+flashvars%3D%22v%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2FPDK%2FCSN%2Fvars.txt%26overlayImageURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2FPDK%2FCSN%2Flogo%2Fcsnphi.png%26pluginAkamai%3Dtype%3Dplayer%7CURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2Fweb_45%2Fswf%2FakamaiHD.swf%7Cpriority%3D1%7Chosts%3D-f.akamaihd.net%26pluginTremor%3Dtype%3Dplugin%7CURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fobjects.tremormedia.com%2Fembed%2Fswf%2Ftpacudeoplugin46.swf%7CprogId%3D4f0dc295d2b6e%26skinURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2Fweb_45%2Fswf%2FskinGlass.swf%26releaseURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Flink.theplatform.com%2Fs%2F-%2F%7BreleasePID%7D%3FMBR%3Dtrue%26zone%3Dvideo_home%26playerURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fpages%2Fvideo%3FPID%3D%7BreleasePID%7D%22+height%3D%22379%22+width%3D%22600%22+type%3D%22application%2Fx-shockwave-flash%22+allowFullScreen%3D%22true%22+bgcolor%3D%22%23ffffff%22%3E%3C%2FEMBED%3E" src="http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/web_45/swf/flvPlayer.swf"></embed></p>
<p><i>For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out <a href="http://thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> for all your news and updates.</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/3/29/2911968/cliff-lee-philadelphia-phillies-2012-depthJay King