Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s - #32 Rodrigo Lopez

#31
Rodrigo Lopez
Starting Pitcher

When rookie starting pitcher Antonio Bastardo landed on the disabled list on June 30, 2009 with a left shoulder injury, the Phillies needed to reach down to the minor leagues to fill Bastardo's rotation spot.  Both Carlos Carrasco and Kyle Kendrick were in the mix for the job, but the Phillies ended up selecting the contract of veteran Rodrigo Lopez from the IronPigs.  At the time, Lopez had appeared in parts of seven seasons with the Padres, Orioles and Rockies and he had won at least 14 games three different years.  He made five starts for the Phillies in July, with the team going 4-1 in those games and Lopez turning in a respectable month.

However, the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee from the Indians on July 29th and Lopez was moved to the bullpen for a few weeks to make room for the newly acquired ace.  He was optioned back to the IronPigs on August 10th when Chad Durbin was activated from the disabled list and he wouldn't return to the club again.

2013 Chachi Almost #1

In total, Lopez compiled a lifetime record of 81-89 with a 4.82 ERA over 257 games.  He best season came in 2004 when he went 14-9 for the Orioles.  As a postscript, the Phillies signed Lopez to a minor league deal in January 2013 with an invitation to spring training.  He didn't make the team and was released in late March, ending his big league career.

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  185
Born:  December 14, 1975, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
Acquired:  Purchased by the San Diego Padres from Veracruz (Mexico), March 17, 1995.
Major League Teams:  San Diego Padres 2000; Baltimore Orioles 2002-2006; Colorado Rockies 2007; Phillies 2009; Arizona Diamondbacks 2010; Chicago Cubs 2011-2012

Phillies Career

7 games (5 starts), 3-1, 5.70 ERA over 30 innings, 11 walks, 19 strikeouts
Acquired:  March 5, 2009 - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Atlanta Braves organization.
Debut:  July 3, 2009 - Started and won against the Mets, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four.
Final Game:  August 9, 2009 - In his worst outing with the Phillies, allowed six runs on three hits and three walks against the Diamondbacks in 2/3 of an inning.  He entered the game in the seventh, relieving Tyler Walker.
Departed:  September 8, 2009 - Released and signed as a free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks, December 16, 2009.

1 Lopez Baseball Card in My Collection
2009 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #14

Complete Chachi Checklist
2009 Chachi #43
2013 Chachi Almost #1

2000 Fleer Tradition Update #U90

2003 Topps #445

2006 Topps Heritage #352

2007 Topps #348

2009 Chachi #43

Other Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2000 Fleer Tradition Update #U90
First Topps Base Card:  2003 Topps #445
Last Mainstream Card:  2007 Topps #348
Other Notable Cards:  1996 Idaho Falls Braves #14, 2002 Topps 206 #369, 2004 Topps #81, 2005 Topps #73, 2006 Topps #232

Sources:  Baseball Reference and The Trading Card Database

Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s
Gallery - Cards 1 to 34

This is a continuing series looking at those players who spent time with the Phillies but possess no baseball card proof of their time in Philadelphia.  In some cases, the First and Last Mainstream cards listed above have been subjectively chosen if multiple cards were released in that year.

2009 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #14 Rodrigo Lopez

The Phillies are going through an off-season transaction dry spell, having last made a move when they signed reliever Mike Adams way back on December 20th.  That changed yesterday when it was announced the team had inked former Phillie Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.  Lopez will be in the mix with John Lannan and Tyler Cloyd for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Lopez earned a Chachi card back in 2009 when he briefly served as the team's fifth starter throughout July.  In total, he appeared in 7 games (starting 5), going 3-1 with a 5.70 ERA.  The Phils released him in early September 2009.

He pitched in the Cubs organization last season, making it into 4 games with the big club and surrendering 4 earned runs in 6 1/3 relief innings.  He becomes the team's 10th non-roster invitee to Spring Training.

Player (position) - 2012 Organization - Last Major Cardboard Appearance

1.  Steven Lerud (c) - Phillies - 2004 Bowman #160 (Pirates)

2.  Michael Martinez (inf) - Phillies - 2012 Topps #64 (Phillies)

3.  Pete Orr (inf) - Phillies - 2008 Topps Update #UH72 (Nationals)

4.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Mariners - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)

5.  Zach Miner (rhp) - Tigers - 2009 O-Pee-Chee #314 (Tigers)

6.  Humberto Quintero (c) - Royals/Marlins/Brewers - 2012 Topps #590 (Astros)

7.  Andres Blanco (inf) - Phillies - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)

8.  Josh Fields (3b) - Dodgers - 2010 Topps #387 (Royals)

9.  Jermaine Mitchell (of) - Athletics - 2012 Bowman Platinum Prospects Autographs #JM (Athletics)

10.  Rodrigo Lopez (rhp) - Cubs - 2007 Topps #348 (Rockies)

2009 Chachi #43 Rodrigo Lopez

The injury to Antonio Bastardo forced the Phils to turn to AAA Lehigh Valley once again as they try to fill the fifth spot in the pitching rotation. Many (including me) had thought the team might turn to Carlos Carrasco or Kyle Kendrick, but Lopez got the call instead. Lopez won at least 14 games in 3 different seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and was 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA so far this year with Lehigh. His 52 strikeouts to just 13 walks definitely contributed to his call-up.

(To make room on the 25-man roster, lefty reliever Jack Taschner was designated for assignment).

Phillies debut: July 3, 2009

Major League debut: April 29, 2000

Former teams: San Diego Padres 2000, Baltimore Orioles 2002-2006, Colorado Rockies 2007

How acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Atlanta Braves organization, March 5, 2009

Pictured: July 3, 2009, sporting the alternate "Stars and Stripes" hat all teams are wearing for games this weekend. (I just don't like them).