De Fratus optioned as Phils call up fresh bullpen arm

PHILADELPHIA -- One of the reasons the Phillies optioned right-hander Justin De Fratus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday is because they needed a fresh arm in the bullpen following a busy weekend.

They recalled right-hander Luis Garcia to take his place. Garcia's stint could be short. The Phillies are expected to activate right-hander Mike Adams from the 15-day disabled list Monday, and Garcia seems to be the most likely candidate to make room for him on the 25-man roster.

But De Fratus also carried a 7.20 ERA following four appearances. He allowed five hits, four runs, one walk, two home runs and struck out two in five innings. The Phillies are struggling to find competent right-handers in the bullpen. Early this season, manager Ryne Sandberg has leaned heavily on left-handers Jake Diekman, Antonio Bastardo and Mario Hollands, routinely pitching them in high-leverage situations.

"I'm not doing my job, straight up," De Fratus said. "I'm just not doing my job. I've got to get the ball down. That's all it is. It's not walking people. I'm trying to challenge people and I'm getting beat. That's it. I've just got to get that fastball down, and that's what I'm going to work on. It really is a simple solution.

"I don't want it, but I need the time to straighten some things out, because something has gone awry in the last couple years that's not allowing me to get the ball down. I've got to find out what it is."

Said Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.: "He just needs to be more consistent. We know he can pitch in the big leagues, but he's going to have to be consistent to help us."

Adams, who is recovering from right shoulder surgery, allowed two hits, one run and struck out one in one inning Saturday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A.

"Overall it went all right," Adams said. "Health-wise it was OK. Today I feel fine. That's the most important thing. It's their decision [about Monday]. I'm going to play catch today and we'll talk after that."