Aumont designated for assignment by Phillies
Right-hander hopeful he can stay with club should he clear waivers
PHILADELPHIA -- Phillippe Aumont is not sure if he has a future with the Phillies, but he sounded hopeful Saturday he will.
He got designated for assignment Saturday, after he allowed five hits, six runs, seven walks, two home runs, one wild pitch and threw behind one batter in four innings in Friday's 12-4 loss to the Cardinals. He threw 104 pitches, but just 56 for strikes. The Phillies selected the contract of Triple-A right-hander Seth Rosin to take his place on the roster.
"I have no objection to going back to [Triple-A] Lehigh Valley and staying with this organization," Aumont said. "If they feel they want to keep me and want to keep working with me, I don't see any [reason] to go anywhere else. A change of scenery can be an excuse, I think."
Aumont, 26, is 1-6 with a 6.80 ERA in 46 appearances over four seasons with the Phillies. His inability to consistently throw strikes has been an issue, but Aumont said his struggles are a mental block more than anything else.
"Am I ever going to figure it out?" he said. "Maybe. Sometimes it's there. Sometimes it's not there. It's more so figuring out why are there days when I can just dominate the world and the next day a Little Leaguer would absolutely beat my [butt.] It's between the ears, just making sure the confidence is still there and being able to work it out."
If Aumont clears waivers, the Phillies could outright him to Triple-A. Lehigh Valley's game notes had Aumont listed as Thursday's starter. In the meantime, Aumont planned to drive seven hours to his home in Ottawa, Canada, to decompress, spend time with family and friends and await his fate.
Aumont is the only remaining piece from the Phillies' Cliff Lee trade with Seattle in Dec. 2009, but he does not think a fresh start elsewhere would help him flip a switch and fulfill his potential.
"It doesn't matter where you are or what team you're on," Aumont said. "You've just got to do it. These guys do it. I know the season isn't going so well, but they still go out there and battle. I think it's more so myself. The bottom line is you have to be mentally strong and physically strong."