CLEARWATER, Fla. - How momentous was Geoff Jenkins' first home run of the spring?

"We know he can hit one now, don't we?" manager Charlie Manuel said.

The Phillies were actually well aware of that fact when they signed the veteran outfielder to a 2-year, $13 million contract in the offseason.

Jenkins, who hit 21 home runs last year with the Brewers, slugged a two-run homer in the fourth inning of a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay yesterday.

It was only his seventh hit in 46 at-bats, but Jenkins said he isn't worried about his meager spring average (.152).

"I definitely wouldn't label myself an unbelievable spring player, but I usually get it going sooner than this," Jenkins said. "Like I said, the main goal is for us to be ready to go when we leave here."

 

Mach absent

One minor leaguer not currently in camp at the Carpenter Complex is 2007 fourth-round draft pick Tyler Mach, who is taking a leave of absence from the team for an undisclosed reason. Mach, a 6-1, 195-pound infielder, hit .287 with five home runs and 38 RBI last season for Williamsport in the New York-Penn League. Selected by the Phillies with the 143rd overall pick last June, he hit .386 with 16 home runs as a senior at Oklahoma State. Phillies minor league director Steve Noworyta said he expects Mach to return to the diamond at some point, but said he did not know when.

One minor leaguer not currently in camp at the Carpenter Complex is 2007 fourth-round draft pick Tyler Mach, who is taking a leave of absence from the team for an undisclosed reason. Mach, a 6-1, 195-pound infielder, hit .287 with five home runs and 38 RBI last season for Williamsport in the New York-Penn League. Selected by the Phillies with the 143rd overall pick last June, he hit .386 with 16 home runs as a senior at Oklahoma State. Phillies minor league director Steve Noworyta said he expects Mach to return to the diamond at some point, but said he did not know when.

 

Bullpen options tighten

The Phillies optioned Fabio Castro to Double A Reading yesterday, formally eliminating him as a factor in the competition for two open bullpen spots. Still alive is Travis Blackley, although the Rule-5 selection from San Francisco will have to pitch well the rest of the spring to earn the Phillies' faith.

The Phillies optioned Fabio Castro to Double A Reading yesterday, formally eliminating him as a factor in the competition for two open bullpen spots. Still alive is Travis Blackley, although the Rule-5 selection from San Francisco will have to pitch well the rest of the spring to earn the Phillies' faith.

Blackley pitched a scoreless inning 2 days ago against the Indians, but walked a batter. The Australia native is second on the team with 10 strikeouts, but is also tied for second with seven walks.

"Leadoff walks are not good in any level of baseball," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "When you walk leadoff guys consistently, first of all, you're setting yourself up for failure. Secondly, the manager isn't very comfortable with it. He's going to have to show us that he can command his stuff in the strike zone."

Does Blackley have enough time to prove that?

"We haven't left yet, have we?" Dubee said.

 

Benson's new pets

There was some monkey business going on in the Phillies clubhouse yesterday. Literally. Kris Benson brought in two newly purchased marmosets, which are small monkeys who live in the upper canopy of trees in Central and South America. The duo, which cost about $2,000 each, grow to be about 6 inches long and are legal to purchase in Florida.

There was some monkey business going on in the Phillies clubhouse yesterday. Literally. Kris Benson brought in two newly purchased marmosets, which are small monkeys who live in the upper canopy of trees in Central and South America. The duo, which cost about $2,000 each, grow to be about 6 inches long and are legal to purchase in Florida.

Benson and wife Anna are also the owners of nine dogs, a cat, and some fish. He joked that the couple is going to build a barn in the back of their next house.

"These guys will be around the clubhouse for sure," said Benson, who missed a scheduled minor league start yesterday with soreness in his arm but could begin playing catch as soon as today.

 

Phillers

The Phillies have outrighted pitcher Shane Youman, leaving two open spots on the 40-man roster . . . Chris Coste's memoir, "The 33-Year-Old Rookie," was released yesterday . . . Scott Mathieson threw on the half-field at Bright House Field yesterday, continuing his recovery from elbow surgery . . . The Phillies may not have to face the Nationals' Shawn Hill in the two teams' season-opening series in Philadelphia. Washington manager Manny Acta said Hill, who went 4-5 with a 3.42 ERAcq last season, likely won't be ready to pitch by Opening Day because of a sore right forearm. *

The Phillies have outrighted pitcher Shane Youman, leaving two open spots on the 40-man roster . . . Chris Coste's memoir, "The 33-Year-Old Rookie," was released yesterday . . . Scott Mathieson threw on the half-field at Bright House Field yesterday, continuing his recovery from elbow surgery . . . The Phillies may not have to face the Nationals' Shawn Hill in the two teams' season-opening series in Philadelphia. Washington manager Manny Acta said Hill, who went 4-5 with a 3.42 ERAcq last season, likely won't be ready to pitch by Opening Day because of a sore right forearm. *

The Associated Press contributed to this report.