Phillies’ second-year pitcher Kyle Kendrick (10 – 4; 3.87 e.r.a. in ’07) was informed on Saturday that he was being traded to Japan’s Nomura Giants. Given his impressive rookie season, and the fact that he’s listed on the Phils’ depth chart as their number three starter, he probably figured he’d be with the team as least through the first week of spring training. His reaction, as you might expect, was pure “deer in the headlights.” The only problem was, it was a joke in which the manager, traveling secretary, assistant G.M. and Kendrick’s own agent were in on. Talk about piling on the kid. I guess pepper spray in the jock has gone out of style. He might have gotten a hint about the prank if he knew his Japanese teams better. It’s the “Yomiuri” Giants. But at that point the Texas native was probably trying to figure out where he could get his last meal of beef ribs before going to the airport. When the Phils come to D.C. in May he should be greeted with signs saying, “Sayonara Kyle!”