As you may have read in today's paper, Pedro Feliz will take an important step back from back surgery when he joins his teammates for batting practice before today's game against Team USA.

Feliz didn't start hitting until earlier this week. Before today, his hitting was limited to the indoor cages at Bright House Field.

General manager Ruben Amaro told me Feliz was "a week or so" from getting into a Grapefruit League game. Meanwhile, Chase Utley (hip) said he doesn't expect to get into a game for another two weeks.

There's a good chance both will make their spring debuts the week of March 16, which would give them ample time/at-bats to prep for the season.

But "a week or so" leads me to believe Feliz could be on the field before March 16, perhaps late next week.

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Here is the Phils' lineup for today's exhibition with Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Team USA:

1. Marcus Giles, 3B
2. Eric Bruntlett, CF
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. John Mayberry, Jr., RF
6. Geoff Jenkins, DH
7. Pablo Ozuna, 2B
8. Jason Donald, SS
9. Lou Marson, C

Scheduled to pitch: Kyle Kendrick, Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson