The Phillies have demoted 25-year old righty starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick to AAA. Kendrick has pitched in 20 games (18 starts) for the Phillies this year and he was 5-4 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Kendrick’s biggest problem was gopher balls as he gave up 18 homers in 108 1/3 innings for the Phillies. The Phillies have recalled 25-year old righty starting pitcher Andrew Carpenter to replace Kendrick in the starting rotation. Carpenter has started 18 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 7-6 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has also pitched in 4 games (1 start) in his two years in the majors and he is 1-0 with a 9.45 ERA and a 2.55 WHIP.

I think the Phillies have to make some deals to catch up with the Atlanta Braves. First off I would trade with the Cubs for 2B Mike Fontenot who would start until Chase Utley is ready to return. The Cubs bullpen is in shambles so they would likely jump at an offer of 24-year old righty David Herndon and 26-year old righty Scott Mathieson. The Orioles are looking to deal away a lot of their veterans so if I was running the Phillies I would offer up 23-yar old lefty reliever Matt Way straight up for lefty reliever Will Ohman. I’m certain the Orioles would make that deal. I don’t think the Phillies can trust Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson late in games and with that in mind I would offer 24-year old lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo and 18-year old lefty swinging 1B Jonathan Singleton for Matt Capps of the Nationals. The Phillies have never been shy about trading prospects and if they could add Capps, Ohman and Fontenot they would be a much better team going forward.

22-year old lefty swinging outfielder Dominic Brown is the one player the Phillies just refuse to trade. He was the Phillies’ #1 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Brown has played in 84 games in AA+AAA-ball this year and he is 100 of 306 (.327 avg, .984 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 19 homers, 63 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. If Raul Ibanez doesn’t start hitting soon don’t be surprised to see the Phillies replace him with Brown.

The Phillies have released 38-year old righty swinging infielder Juan Castro. Castro played in 54 games this season for the Phillies and he was 25 of 126 (.198 avg, .475 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 0 homers and 13 RBIs. Castro was released to make room on the roster for Placido Polanco who has been activated from the D.L. Polanco 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 and 27 RBIs. This will give the Phillies a nice jolt to the lineup as they have missed Polanco’s bat while he was out of action.

The Phillies have designated 36-year old righty reliever/starter Nelson Figueroa for assignment. He pitched in 13 games (1 start) for the Phillies this year and he is 2-1 with 1 save, a 3.46 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Figueroa has also started 3 games in AAA-ball this year and he was 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP. He should have no problem finding a new job if he wants to leave the Phillies.

UPDATE: (7/21/2010) - The Phillies have lost Nelson Figueroa on waivers to the Houston Astros.