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Edward Mujica, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies granted right-handed pitcher Edward Mujica his release on Thursday. The 32-year-old Venezuelan sported a 0-3 record with a 3.69 ERA and an International League leading 23 saves in 36 outings for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. One day prior to his departure from the team, Mujica notched the save in the IL's 4-2 victory over the Pacific Coast League in Wednesday night's Triple-A All-Star Game. In spring training with the Phillies this year, Mujica posted a 0-1 record with a 2.16 ERA in seven relief appearances. He struck out seven and walked two in 8 1/3 innings in Grapefruit League action. Mujica was an All-Star closer for St. Louis in 2013. Having spent parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues, Mujica is a veteran that will surely find employment and very like a roster spot in the majors very soon. Additionally, the team announced that righty pitcher Severino Gonzalez has been added to the IronPigs' roster following ...

Ben Lively, image- Jay Floyd The Reading Fightins announced a transaction this afternoon, as righty starting pitcher Ben Lively has earned a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Lively, a 4th round pick of Cincinnati in 2013, was acquired by the Phillies in a trade for Marlon Byrd two 0ff-seasons ago. In nine starts for Double-A Reading this season, the 24-year-old posted a 7-0 record with a 1.87 ERA while striking out 49 and walking 15 in 53 innings pitched. Last season with Reading, Lively sported an 8-7 record with a 4.13 ERA in 25 games. Recently, I spoke with Lively , who noted that the key to his success this year was throwing more quality pitches early in at bats. He'll make his Triple-A debut, starting on Friday night for the IronPigs. Mark Appel has been placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. The 24-year-old left his most recent start for the IronPigs on Sunday after being charged with four earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Appe...

Hollands, image- Jay Floyd Phillies left-hander Mario Hollands was in Philadelphia this week to have a follow up exam on his surgically repaired elbow and feedback was positive. Hollands, who was the Phils' 10th round draft selection in 2010 out of UC Santa Barbara, was sidelined last year during spring training, and soon underwent UCL reconstructive ( Tommy John ) surgery. Nine months out from surgery, the throwing arm is healing as well as can be expected, according to team doctor Michael Ciccotti . The team anticipates that Hollands will begin throwing off a mound by late January or early February. His time table for facing batters remains to be determined, but with a month of spring training action still six weeks away, Hollands will have plenty of time to get in game shape. Keep the 27-year-old in discussions for holding down a big league bullpen spot in the first half of the coming season. In 50 games as a big league rookie in 2014, Hollands posted a 2-2 record...

In the coming weeks my wife and I are expecting our first child, a boy. We're just about ready for his arrival, but we haven't locked in a name for him yet. Recently, I've talked with some well-known individuals to ask for some name ideas. Phillies outfield prospect Nick Williams , fresh off being acquired from Texas in the Cole Hamels trade, suggested the name Braden. Comedian, actor and TV host Hal Sparks recommended Logan. Phils lefty pitcher Mario Hollands thinks Mario is a swell option. Lastly, outfield prospect Dylan Cozens offered the name Christian as his top choice. With those choices, it's time for you, readers and friends, to weigh in on what the world's newest baseball fan should be called.  Vote in the poll below. What should I name my son? Braden Logan Mario Christian Other Please Specify: Quiz Maker

Jesse Biddle, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies announced on Sunday that lefty pitching prospect Jesse Biddle will require Tommy John surgery after suffering damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. The 23-year-old has been plagued with injuries in recent seasons after missing considerable time with a concussion last year with Double-A Reading, he was shut down with elbow soreness during the off-season while playing in Puerto Rico and was shelved with what was said to be a shoulder strain this year while with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In split time with Reading and Lehigh Valley this season, Biddle tallied a 9-6 record with a 4.95 ERA and a 6.4 K/9 mark over 24 starts. The Philadelphia native was the Phillies' top draft selection (27th overall) in 2010. He'll turn 24 years old later this month. Another Phillies left-hander underwent UCL reconstruction this year. Reliever Mario Hollands is progressing well after going under the knife in April. Reh...

Hollands, image- MLB.com In early April it was announced that Phillies lefty reliever Mario Hollands would undergo Tommy John surgery. The accompanying prognosis for being sidelined with that type of procedure is about a year or more. Despite likely being two months away from beginning a throwing program, the 26-year-old UC Santa Barbara product is already in Clearwater, at the Phillies' spring training home, rehabbing under the supervision of the organization's training staff. According to Hollands, who commented via text message on Friday, he has been in Florida rehabbing for the past week and is feeling good. As a rookie last year, Hollands tallied a 2-2 record with a 4.40 ERA in 50 appearances with the big league team. The California native was a 10th round draft selection of the Phillies in 2010. In other injury news, last year's 2nd round draft pick Matt Imhof , who is sideline with bicep tendinitis, is rehabbing the ailment without a timetable for a r...

The PhoulBallz Podcast is back with episode 71. On the latest edition of the show, Tug and Jay are joined by Phillies rookie hurler Mario Hollands , who discusses his first season in the big leagues, his days in the minors, Jonathan Papelbon as a leader and plenty more. The guys also discuss the rookie campaigns of David Buchanan and Kenny Giles as well as Cole Hamels ' remarkable year. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

-Both the Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading coaching staffs openly addressed an organization-wide focus on small ball prior to both clubs opening their seasons. The directive, handed down by new Phils skipper Ryne Sandberg , will have the entire Phillies system playing a more aggressive style of baseball. Dusty Wathan, Image- Jay Floyd "I think we're going to utilize a National League style of baseball dating back to the 70's a little bit. You'll see some triples, some hit-and-run and some bunting. I think it's kind of an organizational philosophy since Ryne has taken over. You're going to see it implemented not only at the big league level, but at the minor league level. It's something we really stress, is base running, being aggressive, taking extra bases, sacrifice bunting, hitting and running. So, you're going to see a very aggressive game and it's going to be a lot of fun to watch," Reading manager Dusty Wathan said ...

A news release from the Phillies on Wednesday addressed upcoming changes to the team's broadcast staff, which features the removal of Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews from the television "airwaves". Wheeler and "Sarge" were often mocked by fans, with the former being hated by viewers while the latter was a beloved character chock full of catchphrases and neat hats. The Phillies' statement: As the longest-tenured member of the Phillies broadcasting team, Chris Wheeler will return to his club roots after stepping down from his role as a Phillies broadcaster. With 37 years of broadcasting experience, combined with his front office background where he began his Phillies career, ‘Wheels’ will take on a new role allowing the organization to continue to benefit from his knowledge, experience and dedication to the game. Additionally, Gary Matthews will continue to work with the Phillies bringing his exceptional background as a major league ballplayer, bro...

Throughout the fall and winter seasons, our weekly rundown reviews how Phillies players are performing in the various off-season leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Mexican Winter League... Sebastian Valle, Image- Jay Floyd Catcher Sebastian Valle - The righty batting 23-year-old had a big day on Sunday for Los Mochis.  Playing right field, Valle went 3-for-4 with a homer and an RBI.  Overall in 36 games, Valle is batting .286 with with seven doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.  Valle posted a .203 batting average with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 98 games with Double-A Reading this year. RHP Kevin Munson - The 24-year-old, who was picked up by the Phillies in last week's Rule 5 draft from Arizona, has posted a 1.59 ERA with no decisions in five relief outings with Hermosillo.  Munson was a 4th round draft choice by Arizona in 2010. Dominican ...

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we'll have a weekly rundown of how Phillies players are performing in the various leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Dominican Winter League... LHP Antonio Bastardo - The 28-year-old has a 0-1 record with a 1.04 ERA in nine outings for the Gigantes.  Through 8 2/3 innings, Bastardo has struck out 17 batters while walking two.  In 48 big league games this year, before missing time due to a banned substance suspension, the reliever had a 3-2 record with two saves and a 2.32 ERA. 3B/1B Maikel Franco -  The 21-year-old slugged his first homer of the Dominican League season this past week.  Overall, in 32 games the righty batting Franco has tallied a .237 average with six doubles, a home run, 11 RBI and three steals.  Franco had an excellent 2013, mashing 31 homers and driving in 103 runs in 134 games with Clearwa...

Dave Lundquist and Jesse Biddle, Image- Jay Floyd Over the weekend, I spoke with Double-A Reading Fightin Phillies pitching coach Dave Lundquist. A former big leaguer with the White Sox and Padres, "Lundy" has been coaching in the Phils system since 2008. The 40-year-old spoke openly about nearly his entire pitching staff including top prospect Jesse Biddle , David Buchanan , Mike Nesseth , Seth Rosin , Austin Wright as well as Brody Colvin . Read ahead for that full interview... - Jesse Biddle came out in Trenton over the weekend and had somewhat of a bounce back effort, following a pair of poor outings. He says it's not a good result unless he wins, but overall it's gotta be a positive step for him, right? Absolutely. If you look at his last two outings, two-thirds of an inning and then an inning and a third, to come out (on Friday) night and really to have the command, much, much better than he's had. The confidence level was much highe...

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that have struggled recently. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Cody Asche, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Cody Asche had four multi-hit games over a five-game stretch last week, including a 5-for-5 effort against Pawtucket on Wednesday.  The 23-year-old International League All-Star is batting .288 with 10 homers and 56 RBI in 93 games this season.  Asche was the Phils' 4th round draft choice in 2011. The IronPigs' other All-Star, second baseman Cesar Hernandez , is batting .333 with three doubles, a triple and five RBI in 13 contests this month.  Due to the Phillies' void in center field, as Ben Revere suffered a broken foot over the weekend, Hernandez will not participate in the IL All-Star events, instead, he's been assigned to Double-A Reading to get extra work in the outfield in case the Phils choose to ...

We're back with a brand new edition, episode 31, of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast.  This week Jay and Tug talk with reigning Phillies minor league pitcher of the week Mario Hollands , who is having an excellent season with Class A Advanced Clearwater.  The guys also chat about the Phils' All-Star Futures Game representatives Jesse Biddle and Maikel Franco , J.C. Ramirez 's big league debut, Jonathan Papelbon 's recent struggles and the future of the Phillies' managerial position. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that haven't done much as of late.  Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Outfielder Steve Susdorf has been on a tear lately, going 10-for-24 (.417 avg) with a double, a home run and four RBI in his last seven games.  The 27-year-old lefty batter was the Phils' 19th round draft choice in 2008 out of Fresno State.  Susdorf is batting .326 with a home run and 23 RBI in 51 games this year. First baseman Josh Fields has five multi-hit games in his last seven contests.  The 30-year-old is 10-for-25 (.400 avg) during that stretch.  Overall this season, Fields, who was signed as a minor league free agent last November, is batting .316 with four homers and 26 RBI this year.  Who's not... Infielder Pete Orr is 3-for-23 (.130 avg) with two doubles in his last seven games.  Orr, who has spent time in the big leagues wit...