Scott

Mathieson

Geoff Geary, Arthur Rhodes and Tom Gordon combined for four hitless innings of relief in the 5-3 victory. Mathieson, who started three games for the Phillies before being sent down last month, won despite walking five and striking out just one. He’s not guaranteed of additional starts, but he’s worth keeping an eye on in NL-only leagues.

Mathieson will be available in relief tonight, and he could go into the rotation soon if the Phillies trade Jon Lieber or decide to send Ryan Madson to the pen. NL-only leaguers will want to keep an eye on the situation.

An extra starter was needed after the Cory Lidle trade and Sunday’s doubleheader. Mathieson could get a chance to remain in the rotation with a quality performance. He’s not worth using tomorrow, but he could have some value in NL-only leagues.

All seven runs scored in the fourth. After David Wright doubled in the first two runs with two outs, Jose Valentin hit a comebacker that Mathieson committed a throwing error on. Things completely unraveled after that, with Jose Reyes hitting a grand slam to punctuate the inning. This probably won’t knock Mathieson out of the rotation, but it should give pause to any NL-only leaguers considering picking him up.

The Phillies want to give the 22-year-old Mathieson an extended look as a starter. He recored his first major league victory on Tuesday.

Mathieson basically had the same start he did against the Mets on Sunday, only this time all of the runs were earned. The Phillies will probably give him one more start. If Mathieson struggles again, they might choose to give Gavin Floyd another opportunity.

Mathieson is making his major league debut Saturday against the Rays.

Mathieson was 6-2 with a 3.05 earned run average in 13 Double-A starts this season. He is a decent prospect so he should have future value, but right now he is only worth adding in the deepest NL-only leagues.

Mathieson walked two and struck out five while needing 92 pitches to complete the six innings, so his peripherals were better than the actual results. That four of the eight hits went for extra bases certainly didn’t help, but Mathieson showed some of the potential that makes him an intriguing NL-only option. He isn’t to be used against the Red Sox next week, however.

The 22-year-old Mathieson is 6-2 with a 3.05 ERA, 67 H and 95/26 K/BB in 85 2/3 IP for Double-A Reading. He’s a very good prospect, but he’s probably not ready just yet. At best, he’s worthy of a bench spot in NL-only leagues. Should he get off to a good start, he could keep a rotation spot after Jon Lieber returns, with Ryan Madson perhaps returning to the pen.