PHILADELPHIA -- Cody Asche sat in the chair in front of his locker late Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, after the Pirates edged the Phillies, 4-3, still in shock that the Phillies had just optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Chase Utley stood up, put a hand on his shoulder and leaned in, offering solace to his friend.
Teammates Jeff Francoeur and Darin Ruf offered a few words, too.
Players are optioned, released, designated for assignment and traded with great frequency throughout a six-month season, but the fact the Phillies optioned their everyday third baseman and one of the more popular players in the clubhouse seemed to hit everybody hard.