31-year old lefty starting pitcher Brian Mazone is off to a terrific start in AAA for the Phillies. He has started 14 games in AAA ball this season and he is 7-4 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. This could be the season that Mazone finally makes it to the big leagues if he keeps pitching well. Mazone will likely get a chance with the Phillies roster can expand to 40 on September 1st if not before if he keeps pitching well.

Chris Coste is pushing Carlos Ruiz for playing time behind the plate on the strength of his strong bat. Coste has played in 38 games this season for the Phillies and he is 36 for 115 (.313 avg, .921 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 6 homers and 17 RBIs. Coste hasn’t always been a catcher but he’s made himself into an at least average player behind the plate on defense. Carlos Ruiz had a solid year in 2007 establishing himself as the starting catcher of the Phillies but he just isn’t hitting at all this year. Ruiz has played in 47 games for the Phillies this season and he is 31 for 140 (.221 avg, .601 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 2 homers and 16 RBIs. Ruiz will start riding the pine more often if his bat doesn’t start coming around and soon.

The Phillies have released veteran lefty reliever Steve Kline as they weren’t happy with his progress in AAA ball. He pitched in 20 games in AAA for the Phillies and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 5.16 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Kline might get to hook on with another team that wants to give him an audition because lefty relievers that can get someone out are in short supply. Still, Phillies’ management won’t likely lose any sleep over this.