Roger Bernadina Begins Phillies Career by Kicking Michael Martinez off Team

Roger Bernadina is on the Phillies, which is exciting news for fourth/fifth outfielder fans.

May 29, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Roger Bernadina (33) at bat in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Nationals 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Crasnick reported that Bernadina eagerly anticipated an exciting new opportunity earlier today, and it turns out that exciting opportunity is the Phillies.  It’s the least intimidating job on the team, as he will be taking the job that Delmon Young was doing for the majority of the season.

But more exciting is the news that with the signing of Bernadina, Michael Martinez will no longer be on the Phillies.

Yes, we finally found the exit.  But this by no means indicates that he’s gone.  Like a pox (Is it like a pox?) he will most likely return.  All he’s waiting for is a wound or a fracture and he’ll get all in there, spreading himself around, filling the role of a legitimate contributor without actually being one.

So I guess he’s more gangrenous.

Fine.

The point is, he’s gone.  And Roger Bernadina is here.  Which is mediocre news at best.  The Phillies 2013 outfield brigade is now Ben Revere, Dom Brown, Darin Ruf, Delmon Young, Casper Wells, Laynce Nix, Michael Martinez, John Mayberry, and Roger Bernadina.  Boy, that’s not indicative of a farm system starved of any outfield help.  Everything’s fine.

Bernadina will probably show up in center field at some point, hopefully not considered a viable future option, unless he plays absurdly above average.  Like all Phillies, he is at least 29 and bats left-handed with a career average under .250.

Meanwhile, Michael Martinez will be left on the IronPigs’ doorstep.  They will open the door and see Scott Proefrock running away after ringing the doorbell, as usual.