least six innings. 2007: Finding a new role On February 1, 2007, the Phillies announced they had agreed to a three-year, $25.75 million contract extension with Myers. He was also slated to start Opening Day for the Phillies. However, because of general ineffectiveness and injuries to other pitchers, Myers was moved to the bullpen on April 18, after only three starts. When closer Tom Gordon was sent to the disabled list because of rotator cuff inflammation on May 2, Myers took over in the closer role for the team. Following Gordon's return from the disabled list, Myers remained in the closer role due to his effectiveness in the position. On May 25, 2007, Myers went on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a strained right shoulder. However, he returned in July to finish the year with 21 saves, remaining as the Philadelphia closer for the rest of the season. As the Opening Day starter and then the closer, Myers threw the first and last pitches of the 2007 season, and was on the mound as the Phillies clinched their first playoff spot in 14 years. He proved to be a successful reliever, going 5–5 with a 2.87 ERA in 48 relief appearances. Media confrontation On August 25, 2007, Myers was involved in an altercation with The Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Sam Carchidi after Myers gave up two home runs against the San Diego Padres. Comments made by both the player and the reporter sent Myers into a profanity-laced verbal tirade with Carchidi in which Myers called him a "retard" and threatened to knock him out, while other members of the Phillies and Philadelphia media tried to separate the two. 2007–08 offseason In the off-season, the Phillies had announced that Myers would return to the rotation in 2008, since they had traded for all-star closer Brad Lidge. Though Myers expressed a desire to remain in the bullpen, he was willing to fulfill whatever role the team required. "I liked having the chance to pitch every day or every other day as opposed to every fifth day", said Myers. "I'll do whatever the team needs. I've started my whole career so I'm ready to get back to it." During spring training 2008, Myers spearheaded an elaborate prank on Kyle Kendrick involving a fake trade to Japan. The prank was notably successful, with manager Charlie Manuel, then-assistant general