So I'm watching the College World Series on a day away from the ballpark (yeah, I'm a baseball addict) and the scroll at the bottom of the screen reads:

"ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting the Phillies will place (pitcher) Clay Condrey on the 15-day DL (oblique strain)."

The Phils are in route to Tampa, so I can't get confirmation. But I'm not surprised if this happened before they open their series with the Rays.

Charlie Manuel said over a week ago - following the rain delayed game against the Red Sox two Saturdays ago - that Condrey was battling a balky back. He's pitched just twice since then and saw his ERA spike from 2.14 to 3.71 after allowing six runs in those outings.

If the Phils make the move, Sergio Escalona, who has already been up twice, would be the most likely man to take the vacant roster spot. If the Phils wait a day (which I don't expect), Brad Lidge could be activated (after his scheduled rehab outing Tuesday) to take Condrey's spot.

Condrey would be the third reliever to go on the DL, joining Lidge and Scott Eyre. Anyone else thinking the "The Pen" TV show is a jinx?