The Phillies have seen enough of Willy Taveras so they have released him. The 28-year old righty swinging CF played in 23 games in AAA-ball for the Phillies this year and he was 20 of 96 (.208 avg, .526 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He played in 27 games with the Nationals earlier this year and he was 7 of 35 (.200 avg, .500 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Phillies won’t miss him as they have a lot of depth in the outfield.

The Phillies have placed starting 2B Chase Utley and starting 3B Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list. Utley has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. He has played in 72 games for the Phillies this season and he is 73 of 264 (.277 avg, .849 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 11 homers, 37 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Polanco has a sore left elbow. He has played in 62 games for the Phillies this year and he is 83 of 261 (.318 avg, .782 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 5 homers, 27 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Phillies have recalled 31-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Greg Dobbs and 25-year old righty swinging infielder Brian Bocock to replace Utley and Polanco on the active roster. Dobbs played in 42 games for the Phillies earlier this season and he was 10 of 66 (.152 avg, .465 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Dobbs is a better hitter than he showed earlier this season so look for him to step up somewhat for the Phillies. Bocock has played in 65 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 38 of 212 (.179 avg, .470 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Phillies are really going to miss Utley and Polanco.

UPDATE: Chase Utley had surgery to repair his thumb which will cause him to miss at least the next 8 weeks. Placido Polanco will avoid surgery but he will be out the next 3-4 weeks. With the Phillies behind both the Mets and Braves they will likely need to make a trade soon for infield help. I just don’t think you can replace Utley and Polanco with guys like Greg Dobbs, Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro.

33-year old righty closer Brad Lidge was simply awful for the Phillies last season. He pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 0-8 with 31 saves, a 7.21 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP. This season he started late because he was rehabbing from some surgery. He is off to a good start for the Phillies in 2010. He has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Phillies so far this season and he is 0-0 with 5 saves, a 3.27 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has whiffed 16 batters while only walking 3 in 11 innings which is promising. The Phillies can’t afford to be blowing games late this season like they did last season because the Braves and Mets are for real in 2010.

The Phillies have placed 32-year old righty reliever Chad Durbin on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. Durbin has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Phillies this year and he is 0-1 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Durbin has pitched the best baseball of his major league career with the Phillies as he has worked in 159 games (0 starts) in his three years with them and he is 7-7 with 3 saves, a 3.50 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The Phillies will miss Durbin while he is on the shelf.

The Phillies have placed starting catcher Carlos Ruiz on the 15-day disabled list with concussion like symptoms. Ruiz has played in 51 games this season for the Phillies and he is 42 of 153 (.275 avg, .764 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers and 13 RBIs. 33-year old Brian Schneider and 31-year old Dane Sardinha will have to hold down the fort until Ruiz returns to action. Schneider will get most of the work. He has played in 17 games this season for the Phillies and he is 11 of 44 (.250 avg, .648 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Dane Sardinha played in 38 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 32 of 126 (.254 avg, .678 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 4 homers and 20 RBIs. But he has struggled mightily with a bat in his hands in the majors. He has played in 31 games in his major league career and he is 10 of 80 (.125 avg, .325 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 6 RBIs. The Phillies have activated starting shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the D.L. to replace Ruiz on the active roster. Rollins has played in 12 games for the Phillies this year and he is 14 of 41 (.341 avg, 1.096 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The offense will get a nice boost if Rollins can stay healthy this time around.