Josh Teuscher is back in the house.  I ran into Friend of the Lynx and head groundskeeper at Pecor Stadium, Mr. Teuscher, earlier today - almost didn’t recognize him without the hat, red shirt and sunburn.  Against all odds, Josh will be tending the turf out at Coventry Road once again in 2008.

In other FOTL news, The Universal Cynic blog is intermittent at best these days; gone for almost the entire month of December, visible for a few days, now “subscription only”.  We’ll hope for the best.  Neate’s still hanging in there.

In other FLP news, pitcher Matt Smith, who had the briefest of stays here in Ottawa before blowing out his arm and having Tommy John surgery, has been DFA’d (Designated For Assignment) by the Phillies.  I’m not confident that he’ll clear waivers before making it down to AAA (blogger: nope, still can’t say/admit it).  A transaction I missed Friday: Jesus Merchan will join Tim Raines, Jr. in the desert.  Jesus’ stay in Ottawa was even more shortlived than Matt’s, just three games (I don’t even think I got a picture of him).

More later as the transactions continue to flow…

*** UPDATE ***

Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies have asked “unconditional release waivers” on Matt.  I’m not sure, but that sounds worse than DFA.