ATLANTA -- The Phillies have picked a surprise starting pitcher -- right-hander Rodrigo Lopez -- to open their weekend series against the New York Mets.
The 33-year-old Lopez hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007, when he was 5-4 with Colorado. Lopez is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Lopez will be called up to start Friday night against the Mets in Philadelphia.
Lopez spent five seasons with Baltimore and had 15-win seasons in 2002 and 2005.
Manuel said Phillies scouts said Lopez "right now he was the guy that could help us."