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Just got official word from Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle: Brett Myers will travel to Clearwater and pitch against the Phillies Thursday.

Should be pretty fun...

Available in May, slap a scripted Phillies 'P' on a piece of whole wheat toast. (Or don't).

First we pulled the twitter feed to post a blog, now we're going to bring you a video report from the ballpark.

This new-age, high-tech blogging stuff is just swell.

Brad Lidge just got through throwing in his second minor league game for the second time in five days.

For a completely running commentary, click here.

Thanks. :)


(Hear from Lidge in tomorrow's paper... or in the story that will appear on delcotimes.com)

This isn't 100 percent official yet, but it appears to becoming closer to reality: Brett Myers' homecoming is right around the corner.

Myers, who signed with the Houston Astros this offseason after eight seasons in Philadelphia, will most likely make his next Grapefruit League start at Bright House Field against his former team.

Myers threw Saturday, meaning Thursday in Clearwater would be his scheduled day to pitch. I contacted two Astros beat writers; both said the sked hasn't been posted, but that all Houston starters were going on their regular turns, meaning Myers would pitch Thursday.

It'll be interesting to see the reaction Myers gets in Clearwater. I'm imagining it will be just as positive as the reception Pat Burrell received when he arrived in a navy Tampa Bay Rays uniform last March.

As if the Myers' homecoming couldn't get any better --- Kyle Kendrick is scheduled to pitch for the Phillies. Surely you remember the leading role Myers played in "trading" Kendrick to Japan two years ago during one of the better episodes of spring training hijinks.


Time for KK's revenge?

Notable: Jamie Moyer, originally on tap to pitch Saturday in Lakeland, has been moved back to Sunday at home vs. the Orioles.


SUNDAY, March 21 vs. Baltimore in Clearwater

Jamie Moyer
Antonio Bastardo
Cole Hamels (in a minor league game)



MONDAY, March 22 vs. Yankees in Clearwater

Joe Blanton
Danys Baez
Ryan Madson
David Herndon



TUESDAY, March 23 vs. Tampa in Clearwater

J.A. Happ
Chad Durbin
Jose Contreras



WEDNESDAY, March 24 vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista

Kyle Kendrick
Ryan Madson
David Herndon
Antonio Bastardo



THURSDAY, March 25 vs. Houston in Clearwater

Roy Halladay
Danys Baez
Jose Contreras



FRIDAY, March 26 vs. Yankees in Tampa

Cole Hamels
Chad Durbin
Ryan Madson



SATURDAY, March 27 vs. Minnesota in Ft. Myers

Jamie Moyer
Joe Blanton (minor league game)
Danyes Baez
Jose Contreras
David Herndon

I poked into Charlie Manuel's office before tonight's game, to get an update on his infielders.

Here it is: Placido Polanco will not play tonight vs. Orioles; Chase Utley, at least for now, is in the lineup.


"I'll take four or five at-bats down there and be ready for Sunday," said Polanco, who sprained his right knee Monday.

He was asked the difference from how the knee felt today compared to two days ago.

"Huge," Polanco said. "A lot better. I'm doing everything today: ground balls in the field, B.P. (batting practice) and then tomorrow playing. But I guess they thought in the minor league game, it's easier then going out there (right away) in front of 10,000 people."

Utley has been out of the lineup in each of the last two games with an upper respiratory illness. Unless something changes between now and game time, he's expected to play.

By RYAN LAWRENCE
ryanlawrence21@gmail.com

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Cole Hamels was in the middle of a TV interview in the area between the left field foul line and the tunnel to the team’s clubhouse when he poked his head back toward the action on the diamond.

Hamels wasn’t unlike the 9,833 people who paid a ticket to Tuesday’s Phillies-Tigers game at Bright House Field. He wanted to see if wunderkind Domonic Brown could pull off baseball’s version of a natural hat trick.

“I was like, man, if he hits another one, I don’t know what we would have done,” Hamels said of Brown, who had homered in each of his first two at-bats. “We probably would have moved his locker over here.”

Instead, Brown, the organization’s top prospect who had a day to remember against the Tigers, saw his locker move from beyond the back corner of the major league clubhouse all the way to the minor league complex at the expansive Carpenter Complex. Brown, who went 3-for-3 with two home runs, including one off Detroit ace Justin Verlander, was re-assigned to minor league camp after the game.

“He hit his way right out of here,” Charlie Manuel said with a smile.

“I thought I was going down last week, so this all is a plus for me,” Brown said.

Brown’s coming-out-party before his going-away-stroll to minor league camp capped an impressive inaugural trip to big league camp. The 22-year old, rated the No. 15 prospect in baseball by Baseball America, hit .417 (10-for-24) with two home runs and eight RBIs while also playing strong in right field in a team-high 11 games.

“The kid has tremendous eye-hand coordination,” Manuel said. “He’s going to be a good player. He’s good right now. He’s going to get better.”

The Phillies’ decision to hold onto Brown during the trade talks for Roy Halladay might pay off if he continues to climb the organizational ladder and possibly replaces Jayson Werth, a pending free agent, in the outfield next spring. Brown will likely start the 2010 season at Double-A Reading.

“It’s just been great,” Brown said of his first big league camp. “All of these guys brought me under their wing. It’s a major confidence booster for myself, and it also taught me the hard-work part of what goes on here, too. … I’m just trying to be myself and let my tools and ability take care of the rest.”

Brown’s big day reminded at least two Phillies of their own, spring training star turns.

Cole Hamels’ has been well-documented (it’s even in the media guide). Back in the spring of 2004, as a 20-year-old, non-roster player, Hamels threw two shutout innings against the New York Yankees that was capped with a 1-2-3 second inning where Hamels struck out Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Tony Clark.

“You so desperately want to do well up here,” Hamels said. “It’s kind of that macho-ness that you have because you don’t belong but you want to feel like you belong, and when you do something as dramatic as striking out three guys or hitting two home runs, guys start to notice, and you start to feel part of the group.”

Ryan Howard, whose first home run of the spring, a two-run shot off Verlander, was overshadowed by Brown’s blasts, recalled a ‘B’ game he played in as a 23-year-old fresh off a season at Low-A Lakewood. He homered off Andy Pettitte.

“I got Andy Pettitte. I got him (opposite field),” Howard said. “He was coming down (for a ‘B’ game) and I went up (for the day) and I remember it was a cutter away, the first pitch.

“Facing someone who is established in the big leagues, I think it kind of tells you where you’re at.”

Brown’s next big swings will come on one of the four fields 150-some minor leaguers are sharing at the Carpenter Complex. But he won’t soon forget the cuts he took Tuesday against the Tigers.

The first home run was the most memorable, not only that it came off a Cy Young candidate like Verlander, but that it was a few bounces away from landing on Route 19. Brown admitted he admired it for “a split second.” Verlander noticed.

“I thought if I got another at-bat, he might have hit me,” Brown said.

“He stared me down a little bit, but that’s no biggie. I’ll just be on first base.”




Brown didn’t get hit by Coke, either. Instead, he lifted a long, higher-flying ball that barely found its way over the fence in right-center (a fan helped it find its landing place with a hat).

“I actually thought it was a pop-up,” Brown said. “But the wind was blowing out and that kind of helped me.”

Brown’s third at-bat, the one that even Hamels had to sneak out of a middle of an interview to watch, didn’t end in a home run. With the bases loaded and two outs, he legged out an infield single to shortstop and knocked in his fourth run in three trips to the plate.

In his final at-bat, Brown walked. At the end of the game, he walked away knowing he can play with the big boys.

“He has gone about it the right way, he’s come up and he’s learning and that’s the biggest thing – he’s enjoying himself but he’s learning as he’s gone along,” Howard said. “He’s just about the total package.”


To keep up with the latest Phillies news, notes and observations as they happen, follow Ryan at twitter.com/ryanlawrence21


-30-

Placido Polanco was asked prior to Tuesday's game what his target date was to get back on the field.

"Yesterday," Polanco said with a laugh.

Once again, you can exhale. If Polanco can joke about his sprained right knee, it can't be that bad, right?

"It’s still a little bit sore, but it’s the best case (scenario)," said Polanco, who suffered the injury after losing an infield fly in the sun while camping under the ball on the mound. "I was really worried yesterday."

Polanco said Monday that today would be the big test - seeing how sore or swelled the knee would be a day after the injury. Here's the good news: the swelling was down significantly, so much so that Polanco said an MRI or x-Ray "wasn't necessary."

He also hit off a batting tee and rode an exercise bike.

Polly is shooting to return to the field Friday night, following Thursday's off-day.



In other news, J.C. Romero will pitch to hitters Wednesday, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee, who oversees all-things pitching. Romero, who had elbow surgery in October, hasn't faced hitters since September.

If you want an argument that spring training is too long, a nice piece of evidence rested near the mound in the third inning of the Phillies-Pirates game in Bradenton this afternoon.

New Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco ran onto the mound in an attempt to snare an infield fly hit by Delwyn Young. But he lost the ball in the sun and fell to the ground and landed awkwardly on his right knee.

Polanco needed help from two Phillies trainers to walk off the field.

But this might (and remember the word "might") be not as serious as it looked. Polanco was encouraged that it wasn't serious.

"It's nothing bad," Polanco said. "No DL situation or anything. It's probably day to day... It's just the back of the knee. It's probably hyperextended a little bit. Irritated."

The converted second baseman was checked out by a Pirates team doctor on location. He did not have an MRI.

Polly thinks Tuesday will be a big day, to see how sore it is a day after the injury.

"When it first happens you really get scared," he said. "You don't know what's happening. It doesn't feel right. But now that the doctor took a look at it, it's nothing big at all. ... It's getting better now already after the icing and all that."


With Thursday's off-day, there is a chance Polanco could be ready to play Friday night in Clearwater. But expect the Phillies to proceed with caution, since the Grapefruit League games don't matter and the players' health rules supreme.

"Tomorrow is a big day to see how it feels, how sore it is," Polanco said. "Probably two or three days because we've got a day off coming (Thursday)."

Jamie Moyer was deemed the favorite in the fifth starter's race last week by pitching coach Rich Dubee, thanks to the 47-year-old left-hander's extensive resume.

But if the Phils go purely on who pitches best in spring training, Kyle Kendrick appears to have the upper hand with three weeks until Opening Day.

On Sunday, Kendrick extended his spring training scoreless streak to nine innings. He hasn't even walked a batter in three Grapefruit League games.

Meanwhile, Moyer has been pitching in B-gams (his first Grapefruit appearance is scheduled for Saturday). In his first two rounds against the Blue Jays, Moyer posted six zeroes onto the scoreboard.

That ended Monday, when Toronto kept their regular lineup back home for the 'B' game, and thus, threw 'A' hitters at Moyer.

The lineup: Jose Bautista, Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, John Buck, Chris Lubanski (a minor league and Philly-area product), Alex Gonzalez and Joey Gathright.

Toronto's first four hitters all reached base with hits off Moyer.

Moyer's final line: three innings, eight hits, five runs, one walk and four strikeouts. He threw 63 pitches (41 for strikes).

"I didn’t think I threw very well," Moyer said. "I elevated a few too many pitches. I threw a lot of poor pitches and I threw a lot of good pitches. I’m the type of person that is going to use my energy and put it into the good pitches. I know the bad pitches were bad pitches. And they hit them. It is what it is."

With Kendrick tearing it up, is Moyer interested to see what happens in three weeks? (Whether he's asked to go into the pen or declared the winner in the fifth starter race?)

"That’s their choice," Moyer said, referring to the coaching staff and management.

So you're just along for the ride, doing what you can?

"Exactly," Moyer said. "Contribute. It’s all about contributing."

Here's one thing you need to know about baseball beyond the white lines: there is an awful lot of standing-around-chit-chatting-with-people-about-baseball time.

The idle time before a game allows people to discuss anything and everything from, "Can Ichiro hit for more power?" to "I wonder how many home runs would Ted Williams hit in today's game?" to "You think St. Louis would consider a Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols trade?"

Things are said in jest and in hypothetical fashion. Unless it's a humorous of off-beat enough to fill a tweet or blog, it's mostly laughed at as idle chit chat to take up the time before a game or while you're waiting for something to happen at a ballpark.

Of course, some of that idle time today was spent half-laughing about the ESPN report that the Phillies had internal discussions about a Howard-for-Pujols swap. The ESPN reporter, Buster Olney, is a highly respected baseball scribe; still, the report seems just a bit outlandish.

Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. categorically denied any such talk, calling the report "lies" and "irresponsible" to both ESPN and CSN. So there's that.

My feeling? Sure it was "discussed internally." But so are questions like, "Wonder if we'd be better served with Jimmy Rollins hitting 6th?" or "Could be pitch Halladay on three days rest in April?" or "I wonder if we can get a table at Lenny's before the game?"

People talk about anything and everything... but that doesn't mean any of the talk is serious. If you can't B.S. at the ballpark to fill the idle time, you need to find another profession.



For what it's worth, here's what Mr. Howard said this morning:

"I really don't have anything to say about it," Howard said. "Truthfully, I can go back to all the stuff that happened when I was in double-A -- all the talk about trade rumors. I don't know anything about anything. I'm not really focused on it. If that were the case -- I don't know if it is or not -- it is what it is. You just keep going out there and doing your thing. If you get a call saying you're trade, then you're traded. Until that happens, I'm still a Phillie. I'm still here. Let's ride it out."


Should you "blame Buster?"

"I like Buster," Howard said. "He has all the inside info."

It's one of the passages of spring, a sign that the major league season is right around the corner: as you walked into the big league clubhouse, lockers were being emptied, clothes and equipment were tossed on the floor and boxes were being prepared for a move.

The Phillies cut 14 players from major league camp today; all are reporting to minor league camp, just a short walk across the Carpenter Complex.

The guys moving down: pitchers Scott Mathieson, Phillippe Aumont, Drew Naylor, Joe Savery, Bill White, Yohan Flande, Jesus Sanchez and J.C. Ramirez; catchers Tuffy Gosewich, Kevin Nelson and John Suomi; outfielders Tyson Gillies and Quintin Berry; shortstop Freddy Galvis.

Mathieson was probably the most surprising, only because of his big league experience and big arm. But he pitched in only 42 1/3 innings last year in rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery.

"Scott has to pitch. He got the chance to pitch a little last year in a more competitive situation, and then through the (Arizona Fall League), but he's a guy who just has to pitch, it's been a long time," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He has to refine some of his stuff. I think he's got over the hump physically, I just think he has to get the point where he has to get reps and pithicng time. He's a guy we didn't feel was going to be ready to go in April (for us) and be refined enough in his secondary stuff to be able to compete for a job at the big league level. He's just a guy who needs to go out there and pitch."

OK, we had a little fun today with the rain... the blame it on the rain... and some other stuff here on the blog and over at twitter.

So let's pass along some information that's a little more serious and a lot more important. I received this email and wanted to make sure all Phillies fans were aware.

Thanks for reading (and helping those in need)!


The Moyer Foundation is holding a donation drive to get supplies to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. (The Moyer Foundation, in case you didn't know, is on both facebook and twitter).

Here are the details, direct from the folks running the drive:


SEATTLE, WA – The Moyer Foundation (www.MoyerFoundation.org), founded by Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen, today announced that the organization will hold a donation drive, in partnership with the Phillies, during Spring Training to collect and deliver much needed supplies for the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti . Fans are encouraged to bring donations to Bright House Field in Clearwater , FL from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on March 16th and 17th, and 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on March 19th.

In January, The Moyer Foundation created the “Helping Hearts Campaign,” which supported emergency relief efforts specifically targeted to helping child victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti . The organization pledged to match up to $50,000 in donations, which they accomplished this month. Through this campaign, the Foundation will contribute more than $100,000 to their partners on the ground, providing ongoing relief efforts in Haiti .

The drop-off shipping containers will be located near the fountain at the main gate entrance to the Bright House Field. The container will then be shipped directly to The Moyer Foundation's partners on the ground in Haiti . Certain items that are needed for the collection are clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, tents, furniture for an office or home, toys, dolls, etc.

More than two million children have been affected already by this tragedy. In keeping with the organization’s mission to help children in distress, The Moyer Foundation created a partnership with Free the Children to help fund emergency relief and medical supplies for providing immediate, effective, primary health care and support to the hardest-hit communities where so many children are at risk.

Hey kids, it's a video of rain. And me. Talking about the Phillies.






(please note: the accompanying picture is not me, but Pedro Martinez. It is raining in that picture... and it is in Clearwater. I love you, Google Images).

Some folks might use this time to wax philosophical on some pressing issue in camp during a rain delay.

We prefer to provide you with four minutes of four seconds of unadulterated youtube enjoyment.

Have a fabulous Friday, folks.

When Phillies fans saw Kyle Drabek's star rising in the minor leagues in the last two years, they likely began to get googly-eyed at the thought of the talented righty joining their already-talented lefty, Cole Hamels, at the top of the rotation.

It's an organization's dream: two homegrown, top of the rotation pitchers coming into their own at the same time in the big leagues.

Of course Roy Halladay changed all of that. And Phillies fans aren't complaining since it's certainly worth the price of Halladay.

But it was interesting this afternoon when the Jays-Phillies game in Dunedin just so happened to pit Drabek vs. Hamels.

"It was definitely neat. When I was with (the Phillies), I got the chance to talk to him some while I was rehabbing," Drabek said. "Cole is a great guy so it was definitely fun to pitch against him."

"I wish the best success for him," Hamels said. "He’s tremendous pitch and I can relate with him, being out of high school, being a top pick. I guess I was just fortunate that I didn’t get traded when I was in the minors. Drabek would have been one of those guys (in our rotation with me). He had that rough patch with the surgery, and I had a year off myself with injuries, so being able to see him in the big leagues this season and next will be fun, knowing another guy from the Phils organization got to the big leagues."

Drabek was out after two innings. He allowed one hit and one walk, and registered 93 on the radar gun in the first inning.

Hamels retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a leadoff homer in the fourth. In 3 2/3 innings, he gave up one hit (the homer) while walking two and striking out three.

It was an important day for the rehabilitation of Brad Lidge Wednesday morning at the Carpenter Complex.

Lidge, who had offseason knee and elbow surgeries, threw to hitters for the first time and took part in his first complete PFP (pitcher's fielding practice) session afterward.

Lidge will throw another BP session in a day or two; he is on tap to get into his first game on Monday. (He thinks that might be a "B" game).

Lidge threw 21 pitches Wednesday - both fastballs and sliders. He remains hopeful for Opening Day but is going to continue to proceed with caution.

"I’ll still leave it open," on possibility of Opening Day. "Unfortunately it’s not just what I think that might be the case. Even if I feel good enough to go on Opening Day, they might say we can tell your arm speed could use one or two more outings and then we’ll feel comfortable. It’s really a question now of how fast things will come once we get going. There is enough time, but coming off knee surgery and elbow surgery, I’m not sure my body is going to get there as fast as that time. I would say it’s definitely a possibility, you can’t rule it out for sure."

More on Lidge in Thursday's paper (and online, of course).

Pitching coach Rich Dubee chatted with reporters prior to tonight's Phils-Braves game here in Disney World and shed some light on two of the bigger stories involving the team in spring training.

When will Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero be ready... and can Kyle Kendrick outpitch Jamie Moyer for the fifth spot in the rotation?

Romero threw another bullpen session today but is still throwing just fastballs and isn't scheduled to face hitters any time soon. His Opening Day status?

"I haven't ruled it out, but it’s a very very long shot for sure. But that’s what we anticipated," Dubee said of Romero.

Lidge will face hitters for the first time in a live BP session tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Can he make it to Opening Day?

"He’s further along (than Romero) this point," Dubee said. "He’s still no the radar screen (for Opening Day), that’s for sure."

But Dubee cautioned the Phils are still moving along conservatively with both pitchers and the goal isn't Opening Day, but to avoid any steps back in their respective rehabs.


The other news was Kyle Kendrick's impressive five shutout innings after his first two spring starts. Jamie Moyer, the other fifth starter candidate, threw three shutout innings in a "B" game last week and is on tap for another "B" game tomorrow.

So who's the current favorite?

"For me (Moyer) comes in with a big track record, and you can't ignore that," Dubee said.

First the daily Victorino update: the lineup for tomorrow's game at Lake Buena Vista (Disney World) against the Braves was posted a full day in advance and Shane Victorino was hitting second and batting center field.

So his ailing shoulder is nothing to worry about. He basically has a full month to get plenty of ABs before the regular season begins.

Victorino did not make the trip here to Tampa today, where the Phils play the Yankees. Here is who did... or at least who is in the starting lineup.

(The game, by the way, will be televised live on the MLB Network).

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. Jayson Werth, DH
7. Ben Francisco, CF
8. John Mayberry Jr., RF
9. Carlos Ruiz, C

Kyle Kendrick is starting. Jose Contreras, Chad Durbin and Scott Mathieson are also on tap to pitch.


As for those Yankees, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez aren't here - they're playing in a split squad at Bradenton. Here's who is playing... or at least who is in the starting lineup.

1. Brett Gardner, CF
2. Nick Johnson, DH
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Jorge Posada, C
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Marcus Thames, LF
8. Kevin Russo, 3B
9. Ramiro Pena, SS

Former Brave, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Expos (did I forget someone?) Javier Vazquez gets the start.

First the news: Shane Victorino is still not in the lineup and he was unsure if he'd be making the trip to Tampa Monday. When I dropped by his locker this morning, he looked eager to play.

Check my twitter account twitter.com/ryanlawrence21 for an update after batting practice.

Here is the lineup for the game against the Rays here in Clearwater:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. Ben Francisco, CF
7. Domonic Brown, RF
8. Ross Gload, DH
9. Brian Schneider, C

J.A. Happ is pitching. (Remember, friends, that first "A" in J.A. Happ is silent).


Funny thing when I approached Victorino this morning. Ryan Howard overheard the convo of whether Vic would play soon and quipped, "That's OK, he has the same amount of hits as me."

Howard is 0-for-5 thus far in Grapefruit League play.

On the other end of the hitting spectrum, Domonic Brown is wielding a hot bat after the first four exhibition games. He is 5-for-9 (.556).

Brown is making his third straight start this afternoon (as you already saw in the lineup posted above).

For more on Brown - in a story that somehow incorporates Harmon Killebrew and Tim Tebow - check out what I wrote for today's paper on the wunderkid.


Another note on today's game: it marks another homecoming for Pat Burrell. He is scheduled to play in right field.

If you're curious who is pitching when this week in Florida, we've got it all mapped out for you...

(I don't have EVERY pitcher listed here, as it does change occasionally. I'm going with the most notable).


TODAY (Bradenton vs. Pirates)

Joe Blanton
Danys Baez
Mike Zagurski



SUNDAY (in Clearwater vs. Rays)

J.A. Happ
Phillippe Aumont
Drew Naylor
Yohan Flande
Joe Savery


MONDAY (in Tampa vs. Yankees)

Kyle Kendrick
Jose Contreras
Chad Durbin
Scott Mathieson



TUESDAY (in Orlando vs. Braves)

Roy Halladay
Andrew Carpenter
Danys Baez
Ryan Madson
Sergio Escalona



WEDNESDAY (in Dunedin vs. Blue Jays)

Cole Hamels
Ryan Vogelsong
J.C. Ramirez
David Herndon

(Jamie Moyer and Antonio Bastardo in "B" game that day).



THURSDAY (Clearwater vs. Tigers)

Joe Blanton
Johan Flande
Joe Savery
Scott Mathieson



FRIDAY (in Port Charlotte vs. Rays)

J.A. Happ
Chad Durbin
Ryan Madson
Danys Baez


FRIDAY (in Lakeland vs. Tigers)

Drew Naylor
Phillippe Aumont
Jesus Sanchez
Sergio Escalona



SATURDAY (March 13 in Clearwater vs. Twins)

Kyle Kendrick
Jose Contreras
David Herndon
Antonio Bastardo


Now, we can go ahead and speculate - because, hey, why not? - that the Phils are going to keep Roy Halladay on an every-fifth-day schedule.

If that's the case, Doc would be up again a week from tomorrow (Sunday, March 14) in Sarasota vs. the Orioles.... and then again, under the lights Friday night March 19 vs. the Orioles at Bright House Field.

Again, speculation... there is an off-day March 18, so that may or may not play into it... but something tells me they're going to cater to/take care of Mr. Halladay and keep his routine in place.

Someone asked me over on twitter what kind of grade I would give Cole Hamels after the lefty's first spring training game. The suggested grades were "B" or "B-" probably from just glancing at the box score.

But you really had to look beyond the boxscore to grade Hamels' Friday afternoon in Dunedin. Like at the radar gun... and at the variety of pitches coming out of his hand.

Hamels was regularly hitting 89 miles per hour on the radar gun with his fastball; last April, in his first start of the regular season, he was hovering between 86 and 87.

Hamels has basically been two-pitch pitcher since breaking in to the big leagues in 2006. Against the Jays Friday, he threw four pitches (a cutter and curve to go along with the fastball-change duo) and he had success with the new repertoire.

So how would I grade Hamels? I'd give him a solid "A."

Sure he served up a solo home run to the first batter of the game, but spring training isn't about results as much as it is about preparation. Hamels has obviously put in the work in the offseason, evident in the arm strength he showed Friday.

And now, with adding two pitches, he's putting in the proper time and preparation a whole month before the regular season begins.

Here's Hamels on Hamels:

On how arm strength has helped work on new pitches: "Having a fastball that I can throw at the same velocity I have during the season and having the changeup I can always go to, it allows me to focus on the curve and the cutter. And that’s something where if you don’t have the arm strength, you can’t do that. That’s when you leave yourself susceptible to injuries. That’s where I can really work on it and not be scared to throw it because I might tweak something or injure myself."

On learning from previous offseason, when he was not as prepared coming into camp:
"It’s April for me (now with arm strength). I think this is going to allow me to get more games in, prepare a lot better and seeing where I can go. Most guys come in (ready); I never have, which is probably not responsible on my part, but I’ve been able to get away with it. After last year, not being able to get away with it, I don’t ever want that to happen, especially with the type of team that we have. We need to win from Day one and put ourselves in a big lead because the division is so tough."

On whether the cutter, which he threw six times out of 32 pitches, can become his third pitch: "Most definitely. I’ve watched guys like Andy Pettite, Cliff Lee and (Jonathan) Lester have so much success with that pitch that I think it’s something if I’m able to add that in with the changeup that I have, then it can only make me that much better."

Prior to the quick drive over Dunedin to watch Cole Hamels and the regular Phillies lineup take on the Toronto Blue Jays, all of the baseball scribes are at Bright House Field for this morning's "B" game vs. the Jays.

Why any interest in a "B" game that features mostly minor leaguers in the Phils' lineup? Jamie Moyer is starting, that's why.

Moyer hasn't pitched in a game since that appearance in late September against the Houston Astros, when he left with a groin injury. That ailment turned into something that required surgery and multiple hospital visits... and then Moyer also had knee surgery.

Oh, and he turns 48 in November.

So surely there was some concern whether the surgically-repaired, aging Moyer could still get the job done on a major league field. Well, Moyer looked just fine Friday.

He threw three innings, allowing three hits (all singles) while striking out three and walking none. Moyer threw 31 pitches, 23 for strikes.

This wasn't the Jays regular lineup, but it did include some "names," like top hitting prospect Brett Wallace, Adam Loewen, Chris Lubanski (the former top pick from Kennedy-Kendrick) and Jorge Padilla, among others.

The results aren't really the main thing anyway. The fact that Moyer was able to fall in line with the rest of the starters and pitch in a game this early is kind of remarkable.

If he's healthy, and it appears he is, Moyer would have to be the favorite to take the fifth spot in the rotation. But the battle between him and Kyle Kendrick should be fun to keep tabs on here in Clearwater.

Roy Halladay’s spring debut with the Philadelphia Phillies did nothing to kill the buzz that engulfed the City of Brotherly love when the team dealt for the former Cy Young Award winner three months ago.

Halladay got the Grapefruit League schedule under way with two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees Thursday afternoon at Bright House Field. The 32-year-old Halladay threw a pair of hitless innings while striking out three and walking none.

Halladay allowed just on base runner in the outing. Jamie Hoffmann, playing first base after Nick Johnson was scratched with a back ailment, reached on an error by Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco with one out in the first.

Halladay struck out the next batter, Jorge Posada, before getting Robinson Cano out on a fly ball to end the inning. Halladay, who had spent his first 12 big league seasons with Toronto, struck out Nick Swisher and Randy Winn to begin a 1-2-3 inning.

Kyle Kendrick took over for Halladay to begin the third inning.

Wasn't it just yesterday we walked out of Yankee Stadium?

Actually it was November. But here we are again - in a slightly more pleasant environment - at Bright House Field for Phillies vs. Yankees. It's the World Series rematch. Sort of.

Despite the much-anticipated Roy Halladay-CC Sabathia matchup on the mound, there are a lot of stars missing from the starting lineups. No Jeter. No Utley. No A-Rod. No Howard.

Howard was actually a little disappointed when he took a gander at the lineup in the clubhouse this morning.

"I've already for a day off?" the big man said before the team's second exhibition game.

"Sabathia is a tough lefty," he was told.

"Yeah, that's why I want to be in there."

So here are your lineups:


PHILLIES

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Ben Francisco, CF
4. Jayson Werth, RF
5. John Mayberry, Jr., RF
6. Cody Ransom, 1B
7. Juan Castro, 2B
8. Brian Bocock, DH
9. Carlos Ruiz, C

Halladay is pitching



YANKEES:

1. Brett Gardner, CF
2. Nick Johnson, DH
3. Jorge Posada, C
4. Robinson Cano, 2B
5. Nick Swisher, RF
6. Randy Winn, LF
7. Juan Miranda, 1B
8. Ramiro Pena, SS
9. Brandon Laird, 3B

CC Sabathia is pitching


----------------------------------------

If you have plans on following the Phils to Dunedin tomorrow for Phils-Jays, you should see most of those all-stars missing in today's lineup. Howard, Utley and Werth are among the traveling contingent. Hamels is on tap to start.

There's also a "B" game Friday at 10 a.m. here in Clearwater. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to start that game.

The Phils-FSU game wasn't televised or on radio, but you've probably heard through Twitterville that the game didn't go well for Phillippe Aumont.

The 6-7 pitching prospect, who arrived in the Cliff Lee trade, allowed five runs (including a three-run homer) on three hits while walking three in 2/3 of an inning. He also threw a wild pitch that brought in a run.

Here's what Aumont said afterward:

“It’s the first outing, you have to start with that. I can’t do worse than that. We’re just going to have to build on that.”

“My (pregame) bullpen went well (and) when I went out there I tried to stay calm and relaxed, and not try to overdo it. With new guys behind me, you want to get that first impression and you have that pressure of being traded for Cliff Lee, you want to do good. You don’t want to disappoint, especially the fans. In my mind this is over, but I want to do good and give the fans some support and show them (what I’m about).”

Pitching coach Rich Dubee said afterward something Aumont mentioned when I was talking with him over the weekend --- the young pitcher is working on getting his mechanics back to where they were when he was a highly-touted high schooler. Aumont was the 11th overall pick by the Mariners in the 2007 draft.

"We’re trying to find his arm slot. (Before he was drafted) he was lower, and lower with his front side, too," Dubee said. "Those are things he’s trying to put back together. When you do stuff to change it, it takes a while to break those habits."

Dubee also said Aumont has to forget about how he ended up in Philly.

"He doesn’t have to worry about justifying a trade. We made it for a reason – he’s talented. So are the other two kids," Dubee said, referring to Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez. "He’s still searching, his trying to find his natural arm slot, he’s a work in progress. He doesn’t need to be concerned with the trade, he just needs to go out and pitch."

The daily workouts at spring training can get monotonous pretty quick, so nearly everyone in Clearwater is excited about what tonight brings: an actual baseball game.

The Phils are hosting Florida State in an exhibition under the lights at Bright House Field before opening the Grapefruit League schedule tomorrow afternoon here against the Yankees.

A lot of familiar faces in the lineup: 1. Rollins, SS; 2. Polanco, 3B; 3. Utley, 2B; 4. Howard, 1B; 5. Werth, RF; 6. Ibanez, LF; 7. Dobbs, DH; 8. John Mayberry Jr., CF; 9. Ruiz, C.

J.A. Happ will take the mound first, with youngsters including Joe Savery, Phillippe Aumont and Yohan Flande scheduled to follow.

----------------------------------------------------

Just over an hour ago, I caught up with both Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero after both threw side bullpen sessions.

Romero threw 27 pitches and called it "a good day." He's still not certain when he'll get to face hitters... but this was only his second bullpen, so he probably has at least another week throwing pens.

Lidge told me this was "the biggest progression" he's made from one pen to another. Like Romero, he previously threw on Sunday.

Lidge said he threw eight sliders and that they "were a lot better than the four I threw Sunday." He said he feels good enough that he'd like to do more work (read: face hitters), but he also understands that will come in due time and there's no good reason to rush along the rehab process.

So I had a couple days off down here in Clearwater... it was a great mental breather, since working 30 of the next 31 days should be a blast.

It looks like the "big" news I missed while away from camp was an apparent shoulder injury to Shane Victorino. After seeing Victorino in the clubhouse this morning, I'm fairly certain this is nothing to worry too much about.

(And it was probably only headline-worthy "news" because, well, it's been quiet in camp recently and folks need something to write).

The access/time for the reporters in the clubhouse was somewhat limited today as the team preps for an early-start, early-finish workout to hit the greens in time this afternoon for the team's annual golf outing. Just about everyone involved with the team (players, coaches, broadcasters and management) play golf on the last day before games being each spring.

Anyway, it's not clear whether Victorino (who is on a team with Mike Schmidt, Chris Wheeler and Mick Billmeyer) will golf... or if he'll play in Wednesday night's exhibition against Florida State.

But from reading body language, it doesn't look like there's much to worry about concerning the All-Star center fielder's health status. He wasn't wearing a sling, he wasn't slumping in the corner of the clubhouse sulking and he wasn't in the trainer's room getting treatment during the 45 minutes the clubhouse was opened to the media before today's workout began.

Victorino spent most of the time jabbing with the press corps. The topic: speed.

Victorino conceded that new outfield prospect Tyson Gillies is faster than him... but he'd step on the line and race if called upon. Vic said the only guy he wouldn't waste his time racing was former teammate Michael Bourn (probably the fastest player in the game, in Vic's mind).


When told minor league speed demon Anthony Gose (76 SBs last year, most of any player in organized baseball) may be faster than all of the aforementioned players, Victorino again didn't shy away from a challenge... but also deflected the attention given to pure speed. His point: it doesn't matter how fast you are if you can't reach first base.

Back to Vic's ailing shoulder... here's what Charlie Manuel had to say Monday: "We’re taking it easy on him. There’s a little soreness in there and we just don’t want him to do too much in drills. He should be all right. It’s kind of typical. He could play (Wednesday), but I don’t know if I want him to."