Phillies to call up Lopez to face Mets

Updated: July 1, 2009, 5:54 PM ET

Associated Press

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."

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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