According to a report by ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed infielder Kevin Frandsen and pitcher Pat Misch to minor-league deals today.

The Phillies also announced the team has released pitcher Scott Mathieson.

Frandsen, 29, hit .303 with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 77 games with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs last season.

He was suspended 50 games for violation of Minor League Baseball’s Drug Policy after testing positive for Ritalin.

Misch, a 29-year-old left-hander, went 8-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts with Triple-A Buffalo last season.

Mathieson, 27, was 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 30 games (12 starts) with the IronPigs last season.

According to phillies.com, the righty, who was a combined 1-4 with a 6.75 ERA in 15 games over three years with the Phillies, is pursuing opportunities in Asia.

You would think Phillies Assistant General Manager Chuck LaMar would be riding high as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs make their first Triple-A playoff appearance and the Double-A Reading Phillies are also in the postseason.

But something caused Lamar, the person who oversees the Phillies minor league operations, to tender his resignation with the Phillies. People around the team reacted with surprise at the departure.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that LaMar as recently as last week was enthusiastic about the team’s minor-league system.

“A lot of teams want to say they have the best arrangement in baseball, but we do have it here,” LaMar told the newspaper. “From Lehigh Valley to Reading to Lakewood and the spring-training facility in Clearwater, it is just a fantastic setup.”

LaMar is a former general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI (AP)—The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker(notes)
from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash,
adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going
4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker
batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third
game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the
season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in
Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was
important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and
their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right
field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll
give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll
definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer(notes) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also
transferred right-hander Jose Contreras(notes) to the 60-day disabled list to create an
opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

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