Hamels scratched with illness; Cloyd to debut
Yes, it's finally happening.
Phillies fans have been asking for weeks when Cloyd, an 18th-round pick of the Phillies in the 2008 Draft, would make his debut. Clearly, the Phillies were not in a rush to promote him. But with Hamels dealing with a stomach illness and Cloyd already scheduled to pitch on Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, it became an easy solution to promote Cloyd.
The right-hander is 12-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 22 starts this season with Lehigh Valley, and 15-1 overall in the Minor Leagues this season. He has allowed 105 hits, 38 walks and struck out 93 in 142 innings. Cloyd does not have great stuff -- his fastball is in the 85- to 89-mph range -- but he has been good enough to be named the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher.
It should be an interesting night at the ballpark.
The Phillies will announce a move to make room for Cloyd on the 25-man roster before the game.