Shortly before the Reading Phillies' road contest against the Trenton Thunder on Thursday night, the team announced that often injured outfielder Tyson Gillies had been suspended for violation of team rules.The 23-year-old British Columbia native returned this week after suffering a concussion in a collision with fellow outfielder Jiwan James back in May. In two games after being activated from the disabled list, Gillies went a combined 4-for-7.
Overall in 44 games this season for Double-A Reading, Gillies, who was acquired from Seattle in the 2009 Cliff Lee trade, posted a .291 average with seven doubles, six triples, two home runs and 16 RBI in 44 games. Additionally, Gillies, who stands 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, went 2-for-5 in two rehab outings with the Class-A Lakewood BlueClaws.
According to a team source, Gillies' suspension is indefinite.
Reading manager Dusty Wathan stated that while the issue is described as a violation of team rules, the transgression was more on the organizational level.
"It's (a violation of) team policy as in Philadelphia Phillies team policy," Wathan stated.
As far as the offense that led to Gillies temporarily parting ways with his team, another source close to the R-Phils has confirmed that Gillies recently had a confrontation with the club's bus driver which escalated to an unreasonable level. The incident was described as non-physical and uncalled for.
Asked if the assumption that the suspension will be a rather lengthy one is an accurate assessment, Wathan openly admitted he had no indication as to how long Gillies will be away from his team.
"I don't know. I have not been told how long it will be. I just know that that's what happened and he's been suspended. I guess that's up to (Phillies director of player development) Joe (Jordan) and the front office to determine how long it will be."
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Image- Joe Wombough
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