outside the system

With the minor league season upon us, here are some HomeSiders assignments outside the Phillies chain.... AAA, Sacramento- Josh Outman, Adrian Cardenas, Michael Taylor............... Albuquerque- Carlos Monasterios............ Nashville- Zack Segovia.................Columbus- Jason Donald (DL)................. Rochester- Andy Baldwin............... Oklahoma City- Sergio Escalona............ Scranton- Greg Golson............... Durham- R.J. Swindel........... Gwinnett- Yohan Flande.............. AA, New Hampshire- Anthony Gose, Travis d'Arnaud, Bobby Korecky............. Huntsville- Jesus Sanchez, Darren Byrd...........Altoona- Mike Dubee........... Chattanooga- Will Savage.

Ryno charges out strong

Ryan Howard blasted a 3-run home run in the first inning, and went on to single and double later, driving in a total of 4 runs in the Phillies 7-3 win over the Astros. Howard is off to a torrid .538 clip (7 for 13) for the first 3 games, leading to the sweep of the opening series. Carlos Ruiz contributed by walking and scoring a run, and Kyle Kendrick pitched the final inning (1 run, 1 hit, 1 walk). Michael Bourn had a walk in 4 plate appearances for the Astros............Lou Marson got his first start of the season Sunday for the Indians, and had a single, a double, a walk, scored a run and drove one in as the Indians beat the White Sox, 7-1 and salvaged a game in their series........Speaking of former BlueClaw catchers, it was also the first game for Jason Jaramillo. "J.J." was 1 for 4 in the Pirate's 5-4 win over the Cubs......Considering the nature of the game between the Angels and Royals Sunday, Robinson Tejeda got an inning of work in and was fortunate to only be charged with 1 run. He gave up 2 hits and a walk, striking out 1 in the Royals 12-9, 13 inning slugfest over the Angels.......Taylor Buchholz tossed a scoreless inning for the Mets in New York's 9-2 win over the Marlins.

Happ pushed back

Jay Happ was pushed back from his start today against the Phillies with a mild strain of an oblique muscle suffered in his last spring training game. Jay will go against the Reds on Tuesday.

Threshers

A majority of the 2010 champion 'Claws will become the Clearwater Threshers. The rotation will be Jarred Cosart, Brody Colvin, Trevor May, Julio Rodriguez and Jonathan Pettibone.......bullpen pitchers include Joe Esposito, Jordan Ellis, Tyler Cloyd and Ebelin Lugo.......catchers Sebatian Valle and Kyle Lafrenz will handle the staff.......infielders are Joe Savery (completely converted to full time hitter), Darrin Ruf, Troy Hanzawa, Travis Mattair and Alan Schoenberger...........Jonathan Singleton has made the switch to the outfield and will be joined by Jiwan James, Leandro Castro, D'Arby Myers, and Brian Gump.

R-Phils

Here are the Reading HomeSiders as announced by the Phillies-..........pitchers Tyson Brummett, Chance Chapman, Mike Cisco, Justin De Fratus, Jacob Diekman, Austin Hyatt, Chris Kissock, B.J. Rosenberg, and Josh Zeid.........catchers Tuffy Gosewisch and Tim Kennelly..........infielders Freddy Galvis, Harold Garcia, Fidel Hernandez, and Matt Rizzotti.....outfielders Derrick Mitchell, Mike Susdorf and Mike Spidale. Jeremy Slayden, trying a comeback, opens the season on Reading's DL.

IronPigs

As is usually the case, Lehigh Valley's contingent of HomeSiders will be primary pitchers. Vance Worley, who has become the #1 pitching prospect in the system, will anchor the rotation and receive the opening day assignment on Thursday. The bullpen will feature Scott Mathieson, Mike Zagurski, Mike Stutes, Drew Naylor and Drew Carpenter......... Domonic Brown will start the season on DL for the Pigs, and should be ready to start playing in a few weeks.

Claws

In case you didn't see it, the roster for the season has been released and it features the following retuning players..........pitchers Eric Pettis and Colby Shreve.....catcher Torre Langley...........infielders, Jim Murphy(?), Steven Battts and Jeremy Barnes..........outfielders Zack Collier, Anthony Hewitt, and Domingo Santana.......additionally, both Nick Hernandez and Mike McGuire will start the year on Lakewood's DL.