Lakewood first baseman Kelly Dugan (pictured, left) has been sent to the Phillies' spring traning home in Clearwater, FL to rehab his injured ankle.The switch-hitting Dugan has been sidelined since the Class A BlueClaws' game at Hagerstown on April 20th, when he stepped on first base awkwardly, while taking a throw on a ground out, and turned his left ankle.
According to Lakewood manager Mickey Morandini, there is no time frame for a return for Dugan, but the injury is not very serious.
"It's basically a twisted ankle. Once the swelling goes down and the pain goes away, he'll resume some strengthening (exercises) and he'll start running again," Morandini stated.
Morandini added that Dugan spent some time in a protective boot, after suffering the injury, to limit the range of motion and to keep the swelling contained. The 21-year-old Dugan was the Phillies' top draft selection (2nd round) out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA in 2009.
This season in 15 games with Lakewood, Dugan posted a .245 average with 2 homeruns and 9 RBI.
Last year, after beginning the season in extended spring training, Dugan was named as a NY-Penn League All-Star with short-season Williamsport, where he sported a .284 batting average with 2 homeruns and 21 RBI over 47 games.
Click HERE for an image that Dugan posted online, in which you can see the severe swelling.
Additional minor league notes...
Lakewood outfielder Gauntlett Eldemire is considered day-to-day, after being hit in the left forearm with a pitch on Saturday. Eldemire, who missed the entirety of each of the past two seasons with injuries, is expected to return to action by Wednesday.
Lefty reliever Ryan Sasaki was released by the Phillies on Sunday. Sasaki, who missed the past two seasons following back surgery, had posted a 6.60 ERA in 7 appearances for Lakewood this year. Right-hander Luis Paulino will be added to the BlueClaws' roster from extended spring training to fill that void.
Class-A Advanced Clearwater outfielder Cody Asche ranks 5th in the Florida State League with a .319 batting average for the Clearwater Threshers. Asche, the Phillies' 4th round draft selection last year, has posted 3-hit games twice in his past three outings. The 21-year-old is a University of Nebraska product.
Double-A Reading starting pitcher Tyler Cloyd took a no decision with 6 scoreless innings on Sunday, lowering his season ERA, in 5 starts, to 1.45.
Veteran minor league infielder Miguel Abreu has put together 6 multi-hits games in his last 7 contests and is batting .500 for the Reading Phillies through 11 games this year.
After opening the season with a 10-2 record, the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs have gone 3-9.
Lefty reliever Jake Diekman has opened the season on a roll, after impressive efforts in the Arizona Fall League and in spring training with the Phillies. In 9 games with the IronPigs, the 25-year-old has no record, but he has notched 3 saves and posted a 0.82 ERA while striking out 17 batters and walking 3 in 11 innings of work.
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