PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Phillies have purchased the contract of right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and cleared a roster spot by designating reliever Jack Taschner for assignment.
Lopez, a two-time 15-game winner with Baltimore, started against the New York Mets on Friday in place of injured rookie Antonio Bastardo. Lopez hadn't pitched in the majors since 2007 with Colorado because of elbow surgery.
Taschner was 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 appearances with the Phillies. The left-hander was acquired from San Francisco for catcher Ronny Paulino in spring training. The Phillies have 10 days to trade Taschner, waive him or send him outright to the minors.
Taschner called the Phillies ``a class organization'' because ``they could've outright optioned me, but this gives me a chance to go somewhere else.''
