Fifth starter? Or middle reliever? Not even Kyle Kendrick knows exactly which one will describe him in 2011, but he will be with the Phillies.
Kendrick, 26, and the team agreed on a one-year, $2.45 million deal yesterday to avoid arbitration. The right-hander went 11-10 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 appearances last season. The Phils have no more arbitration-eligible players.
It’s still unclear what Kendrick’s role will be. If Joe Blanton is traded, he’s expected to compete for the fifth starter’s spot with Vance Worley. If Blanton isn’t traded, Kendrick could fill the bullpen void left by middle-innings eater Chad Durbin.
