Young scratched due to hamstring, not trade

PHILADELPHIA -- Nope, the Phillies said it was just a tight right hamstring.

Phillies first baseman Michael Young cleared waivers Thursday, which means the Phillies can trade him before the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline. So when they suddenly scratched him from the lineup a couple hours before their game against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park, many people assumed he had been traded.

Young and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said the lineup change had nothing to do with a trade, but with Young's tight hamstring.

"I'm fine," Young said. "I'm pretty sure if it was a night game I would have played, but a day game after a night game ... I just did some work on it and it's already starting to feel better. So I'm available to pinch-hit and I expect to be in the lineup tomorrow."

Young said he is aware he has cleared waivers.

"As far as what's going to happen now, I'm not sure," said Young, who remains in contact with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. about his future.

The Phillies held on to Young before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline because they said they did not get much value offered in return. It remains to be seen if they can get anything of value before the end of the month, but the fact he cleared waivers means he is available, although he has the right to refuse any trade because of a full no-trade clause.