Mike Sweeney traded to Philadelphia Phillies from Seattle Mariners

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Seattle Mariners traded five-time All-Star hitter Mike Sweeney to the Philadelphia Phillies today for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Phillies announced they had acquired Sweeney a day after they put All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard on the disabled list with a sprained ankle.

Sweeney will provide hitting depth for Philadelphia, which began the day two games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East. The Phillies are hopeful to have Howard, the 2006 National League MVP who was leading the NL with 81 RBIs when he got hurt, back in two weeks.
"He is a good hitter. I saw him a lot in the American League," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said of Sweeney from Miami, where Philadelphia is playing the Marlins. "He's going to play some first base now since Howard is out and he'll be good off the bench, too, down the stretch. I'm looking forward to him playing for us and I like it."

Manuel said Sweeney should join the Phillies Thursday for the final game of the Marlins series.

Playing first base could become troublesome for the 37-year-old Sweeney. He has been on the DL for back issues twice this summer.

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