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Floundering Phillies fire General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has been the Phillies' general manager for the last seven seasons.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has been the Phillies’ general manager for the last seven seasons.

(Chris Szagola / Associated Press)
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The Philadelphia Phillies fired General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. on Thursday, with 22 games left in their worst season since 1972.

President-in-waiting Andy MacPhail made the announcement, saying that assistant general manager Scott Proefrock would replace Amaro as interim general manager.

“It’s never an easy decision to make a change,” MacPhail said. “Ruben has had a direct impact on some of the best years in the team’s history. He helped to create some great memories for Phillies fans with his accomplishments, but in order to return to a top-contending club, we believe this is the right thing to do as we continue the rebuilding process.”

The Phillies have the worst record in the majors at 54-86 and will miss the playoffs for the fourth year in a row after winning five consecutive National League East titles. They’re on pace to lose 100 games for the first time since going 47-107 in 1961 and their .386 winning percentage is their lowest in 43 years.

Amaro replaced Pat Gillick, who retired after the Phillies won the 2008 World Series and took over as team president last year. Amaro previously served 10 years as assistant GM.

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ETC.

Buck Farmer is expected to rejoin the Detroit Tigers after results from an MRI showed no major damage to the right-hander’s right forearm. He left Wednesday’s game because of forearm tightness.

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