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Phillies Notes
Lidge will throw off mound today
CLEARWATER, Fla. - As the Phillies wait for someone to step up and take the fifth spot in their rotation, they at least could have encouraging news from closer Brad Lidge.
He will throw off a mound today.
It is exactly two weeks since the closer had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Doctors said it could take him three to six weeks to fully recover, which means he remains on schedule to be ready for the March 31 season opener.
"Everything feels good," Lidge said.
Lidge could see Grapefruit League action next week.
"He's a little ahead of schedule," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "I don't know how many innings he's going to need [to be ready for the season opener]. He'll need to get out there, that's for sure. We'll get to that point when he's feeling right and he's thrown off the mound a few times."
Blue Jays 9, Phillies 4
The Phillies dropped to 4-8-1 in the Grapefruit League. . . . Ryan Howard (.444) hit a solo home run in the second inning, his second homer this spring. . . . Righthander Francisco Rosario allowed two hits and one walk in 31/3 scoreless innings. He has a 1.04 ERA. Rosario could be a candidate for the rotation, but it seems the Phillies consider him a stronger candidate for the bullpen. One or two bullpen jobs are up for grabs. . . . Geoff Jenkins (.207), Greg Dobbs (.300) and So Taguchi (.412) each doubled.
Benson: Sore but OK
Righthander Kris Benson threw in a minor-league game Saturday but said he felt his usual soreness a day later. He is scheduled to throw in another minor-league game Thursday."It's sore, like I predicted, but nothing out of the ordinary," he said.
Unlucky 13
The Phillies made 13 cuts from big-league camp.They optioned righthander Joe Bisenius, lefthander J.A. Happ, and infielder Brad Harman to minor-league camp. They also reassigned righthanders Ron Chiavacci and Zack Segovia; lefthanders Brian Mazone and Joe Savery; catchers Tuffy Gosewisch and Lou Marson; infielders Jason Donald, Mike Cervenak and Andy Tracy; and outfielder Valentino Pascucci to minor-league camp.
The Phillies have 50 players in camp.
Extra bases
The Phillies play the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton today. J.D Durbin will start. Also scheduled to pitch are Shane Youman, Tom Gordon and Clay Condrey. Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game. . . . Mercifully, the Phillies have a day off tomorrow. Righthander Chad Durbin still has to work. He is pitching in a minor-league game. - Todd Zolecki
