Primarily a second baseman, Joe Thurston was hitting .282 with 9 homers and 28 doubles for Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. The 27-year-old former fourth-round pick of the Dodgers has seen time in left field this season.
Update: The Phillies have also recalled outfielder Michael Bourn, who was in Florida for Olympic qualifying.
We knew it would be interesting, and this move comes as something of a surprise.
Thurston, who is not included on the 40-man roster and will have his contract purchased, was signed this offseason as a minor league free agent. You may remember he was in the running for the final spot off the Phillies bench for a little while. The job eventually went to David Dellucci.
Thurston saw action with the Dodgers in parts of three seasons between 2002 and 2004 and spent all of last season in Triple-A. He’s a good hitting second baseman and is 11-40 (.274) lifetime in the majors. I don't know much about him, but his career certainly resembles that of a Marlon Anderson-type player; good left-handed bat, but must have a shaky glove or some other holes. Now, it seems his versatility will be used to help the Phillies bench desperate for outfield depth and another man for the infield.
As for Bourn, he's back after a brief cup of coffee a few weeks back. The slashing center fielder was hitting .286 with Scranton. This season, in stops with Reading and Scranton, he has tallied more triples than doubles (13 triples, 10 doubles) and has totalled a combined 45 stolen bases.
EL player of the week Gary Burnham will replace Thurston at Scranton.
Not a bad move. He had sime success with the Dodgers. I wonder why he wasn't called up before instead of Sandoval. Maybe it was a 40 man roster thing. Regardless, he should help this team some, probably more so than Roberson or Sandoval.
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 04:51 PM
Who?
Posted by: Tony | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 04:56 PM
Who will replace Gordon? That will be interesting. The bullpen has gotten some rest recently so another bat wouldn't be a stretch. IF/OF Scales???
Gillick may even pursue someone from outside the organization
Posted by: Bob D | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 05:10 PM
According to Shane Victorino on Comcast Sports Net, both Thurston and Bourn have been recalled.
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 05:12 PM
ESPN also reported that Bourn has been recalled.
Posted by: Wayne Stevenson | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 05:24 PM
bourn and thurston:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/wires/08/22/2014.ap.bbo.transactions.0146/
Posted by: gr | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 05:44 PM
oops. you get the idea.
Posted by: gr | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 05:45 PM
Thurston was once considered a top prospect by the Dodgers, but after several trials, it became obvious he could not hit major league pitching. He's been at AAA for 4 years and is having his best season in awhile at Wilkes-Barre so maybe he's just a late bloomer.
Posted by: clout | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 06:54 PM
Clout! You're such an optimist!!
Posted by: seth. | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 08:54 PM
Nice to see that Bourn has finally lost that #76 in favor of #9.
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 09:46 PM
holy crap, Clout was actually optimistic about a minor league almost lifer...you know Thurston is gonna go bonkers now because you endorsed him!
Posted by: Drama Queen | Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 09:49 AM