Phils need to get Bastardo 'going': Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo did something Tuesday against the Braves he hadn't done all season -- pitch a full inning. He even earned the victory as he tossed a perfect seventh inning. “What he needs is we’ve got to get him out there more,” manager Charlie Manuel said, as reported by the Wilmington Journal News. “We’ve got to get him sharp, whether it’s one hitter, a full inning or two hitters. He’s got to warm up, get him in the game and get him going.” (Updated 05/02/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/24/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Perhaps the reason Bastardo never went more than 2/3 innings in April was because the Phillies had concerns about his velocity dating back to the spring. But Bastardo hit 93 mph on the radar gun Tuesday, so he might finally be getting back on track. Bastardo's numbers are not as sharp as they were in 2011, but that could change with more work. Bastardo is still getting late-inning work for Philadelphia, but obviously he won't see regular save chances with Jonathan Papelbon healthy. Bastardo has low-end Fantasy appeal. (Updated 05/02/2012).
05/13/2012 16:45 Phils' Hamels tops Padres in return
Cole Hamels was stellar on the mound in his return from a five-game suspension, working seven innings of one-run ball Sunday to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2.
05/08/2012 22:53 Duda, Wright lead Mets to fourth straight
Lucas Duda had a tiebreaking, two-out RBI single in the seventh and the New York Mets took advantage of Philadelphia's defensive blunder, beating the Phillies 7-4 on Tuesday night.
05/01/2012 22:04 Mayberry lifts Phillies over Braves
John Mayberry Jr. doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Tuesday night in the first meeting of the season between the NL East rivals.
04/30/2012 22:07 Polanco's two-run double lifts Phils
Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
After some confusion earlier in his career about whether he profiled better as a starter or a reliever, Bastardo clearly found his niche as a left-handed setup man in the Phillies bullpen last year, his 0.93 WHIP ranking eighth among relievers with at least 50 innings. He was so dominant -- allowing just 4.3 hits per nine innings -- that the Phillies even used him as their closer during a period in June and July when Ryan Madson was out with a hand injury. Madson is gone now, but with Jonathan Papelbon on board, Bastardo is still just a backup option for saves. His ERA and WHIP should still make him a viable contributor in Rotisserie leagues, though. If middle relievers matter in your format, Bastardo is one of the best you'll find. (Updated 1/25/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start