Rehabbing Phillies right-hander Kris Benson impressed in three innings of work today.

The veteran, former Pittsburgh ace, who missed all of last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, threw in a minor-league intra-squad game at Bright House Field. It was the first time Benson pitched in a live-game environment since September of 2006.

"I felt real well, real good I made some good adjustments with the breaking pitches, the curve ball felt good, the slider got better as the game (progressed), so everything felt good physically, everything felt fine," said Benson, who allowed three hits while walking one and striking out one in 3+ innings of a simulated game.

While the majority of the Phillies coaches and players traveled to Winter Haven for a Grapefruit League game against the Indians, general manager Pat Gillick and assistant G.M. Mike Arbuckle were among those who stayed back to watch Benson.

"There was crispness to all his pitches; he was around the strike zone very well for his first time back facing hitters i(in a year and a half)," Arbuckle said. "So overall, a very positive outing and a good step."

Should Benson keep moving along, he could compete for what is now a wide-open race for the fifth spot in the team's starting rotation. Benson said he would like to get himself in position to be ready should the team need him when the season starts.

But he's also being smart with his rehabilitation.

"I’m not going to rush it; I’ve been patient throughout this whole thing for 11 1/2 months, so I’m not going to rush this at the end to jeopardize things," Benson said. "My arm will definitely tell me and I’ll be in good communication with everybody."

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The Archive Files

In today's Daily Times, Cole Hamels isn't sweating spring stats.

And... a look at a Delco native who's also "getting his work in" in Spring Training.