The Phillies signed reliever Oscar Villarreal to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Villarreal, who missed the entire 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, will not be invited to spring training.

Villarreal, 28, last pitched in 2008 with Houston when he appeared in 35 games, compiling a 1-3 record with a 5.02 ERA. He was 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 games for Atlanta in 2006.

The deal was first reported by Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.

Villarreal, much like the other recent signees by the Phillies, is probably ticketed for triple-A Lehigh Valley. In the last few days, the Phillies have also signed outfielder Freddy Guzman, second baseman Luis Maza and pitchers Brian Gordon and Brian Mazone.

The Phillies also signed catcher John Purdom from the Camden Riversharks.

The Phillies' seventh-round pick in last year's draft, Brody Colvin, was arrested early Sunday morning in Lafayette, La., on three misdemeanor charges.

Colvin, 19, was released without bail on counts of simple battery, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest, according to a spokesman from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. He was arrested at 1:31 a.m. on the 300 block of Jefferson St., an area with a popular nightlife, the spokesman said.

Colvin, a right-handed pitcher, fell to the Phillies in the seventh round (227th overall) because of concerns that he would choose his scholarship to Louisiana State over a professional contract. But he signed just before the deadline for a $900,000 bonus, which was the slot recommendation for the 35th overall pick. Baseball America had Colvin rated as the 43rd best prospect in the draft.

Because he signed late, he made just one appearance in the Gulf Coast League, a scoreless two-inning outing.

Matt Gelb here. Just 16 days until pitchers and catchers...

In today's Inquirer, we chronicled what could be one of the potential heartwarming stories for the spring -- Scott Mathieson's comeback bid from three elbow surgeries.

Mathieson told me he just began throwing off a mound for the first time this off-season last week and all is well so far. One reason why he is especially optimistic this time is that his right arm feels nothing like it did after the other surgeries. After his first two surgeries, it just never felt right. This time, it does.

In the story, we mention how rare of a comeback this is for a pitcher. So how rare is it? After some extensive and thorough research, it appears 13 pitchers have played in the majors after two Tommy John surgeries. Those pitchers are (in somewhat chronological order, most recent first):

Denny Stark
Mike Lincoln
Victor Zambrano
Hong-Chih Kuo
Doug Brocail
Eric Gagne
Al Reyes
Chad Fox
Scott Williamson
Lance Carter
Darren Dreifort
Nathan Bland
Steve Ontiveros

Now that list isn't the definitive, but it cannot be far off. Consider this passage from a 2007 USA Today story:

According to statistics maintained by his office, [James] Andrews performed 1,169 Tommy John surgeries over the 12-year span from 1994 until 2005. Of those, only 12 players were going for their second elbow reconstruction.

For those 12, the success rate -- a pitcher making it to his presurgery level of baseball -- is about 20%, Andrews estimates.

Before performing his second Tommy John surgery on pitcher Doug Brocail, Thomas Mehlhoff, a physician with the Houston Astros, gave even more staggering odds.

"Dr. Mehlhoff gave me a 5% chance of a comeback, and I said, 'With your 5% and my 95%, I'll pitch again,'" said Brocail, 40, a reliever for the San Diego Padres.

Brocail has appeared in 161 major league games since the September 2002 operation.

But for every Reyes or Brocail who has some success after returning, there are many more who do not.

Obviously, those numbers have changed significantly in the last five years with more players going for their second Tommy John. A request for more recent statistics from Andrews' office wasn't returned. Mathieson had his procedures done by Andrews. Three other pitchers are attempting to make a comeback similar to Mathieson this spring: Shawn Hill (Toronto), Tyler Yates (Pittsburgh) and Chris Capuano (Milwaukee).

Interestingly enough, of the 13 pitchers who made it back on our list, nine of them are relievers. Mathieson, of course, came up as a starter when he was a top prospect. The Phillies brought him back from these surgeries as a reliever hoping that shorter bursts and strain on his arm would benefit.

His numbers in 2009 were very impressive. If you combine his regular-season statistics in the minors with his numbers from the Arizona Fall League, Mathieson allowed a total of 7 runs in 45 innings for a 1.40 ERA. His velocity is nearly at where it was pre-surgery and he has greater confidence in his changeup. Being able to effectively throw his slider as an out pitch will be the key this spring.

Granted, the Phillies would probably prefer it if Mathieson began the season in the minors. After all, he only threw 45 innings last year coming off of three major surgeries. But if Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero are not ready to start the season and Mathieson has an impressive spring, he could very well make the team out of camp.

Mathieson has become good friends with fellow reliever Mike Zagurski, who is also making a comeback from surgery. They both live near Clearwater, Fla., and have been rehab partners.

"Zagurski and I are working together and push each other a little bit," Mathieson said. "He’s a little ahead of me last year when he came back. We’re both going to spring training with hopes of impressing people. We’re both trying to be more than ready."

Jose Contreras speaks to the media in the Phillies Clubhouse Thursday afternoon. (Michael Bryant / Staff Photographer)

Matt Gelb still here. Just 19 days until pitchers and catchers...

The first person to call Jose Contreras and congratulate him on his one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies was Danys Baez. Contreras was shocked to hear Baez on the other end -- How did he know already? -- and the two Cuban pitchers talked about their new team.

They share a strong bond.

In 1999, when both pitched for the Cuban national team during a tournament in Winnipeg, Baez took Contreras on a shopping trip. Baez bought something and handed the bag to Contreras. The only instructions were to give the bag to Baez's family back in Cuba.

"He probably knew he was going to leave already," Contreras said through a translator on Thursday.

Yes, Baez was going to leave -- defect from Cuba with the hopes of signing a major-league contract. He snuck away from the team the next day. And on Nov. 5, 1999, the Cleveland Indians signed Baez as a free agent. The Phillies signed Baez to a two-year $5.25 million earlier this month.

After Baez disappeared, Contreras stayed with the Cuban team and flew back home. His first stop was to the Baez residence, where he was expected.

"All the police officers in the town were waiting for me," Contreras said.

By that point, Cuban officials knew what Baez had done. They waited outside for Contreras, who gave the bag to Baez's parents, who were crying, Contreras said. Contreras wouldn't say what was inside, just that it was a "personal" item.

The police took Contreras in for questioning.

"I explained that Danys is a friend and I had a gift Danys had given me," Contreras said.

Since he knew few details of Baez's defection, Contreras was let go. Three years later, when he had attained the status of Cuban's best and most popular baseball player, Contreras defected during a tournament in Mexico.

He left behind a wife, two daughters, his mother and father plus six older sisters and two older brothers. Two years later, when he was already an established major-leaguer with the Yankees in 2004, his wife and daughters were allowed passage into the United States. But Contreras received the hardest phone call: His father had died.

Contreras listened to the funeral back in Cuba through a phone.

"My father wanted me to play at the top level, the best baseball in the world," Contreras said. "I don’t regret the decision I made."

The rest of his family remains in Cuba. Contreras' agent, Jaime Torres, said he has been working on obtaining a travel visa for Conteras' mother to enter the United States and expects to have it sometime this year.

Contreras, 38, said he would prefer to start for the Phillies but would accept any assignment the team has. It's hard not to believe him, considering everything the pitcher risked and surrendered just for a major-league career.

With the signing of Jose Contreras, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. achieved two goals he had left in his busy off-season: starting rotation and bullpen depth.

And now, the Phillies are likely done making moves as the team prepares for spring training.

"It’s a possibility," Amaro said of another move. "At some point you gotta get to the point where you just see what you got. We’re probably as close to that stage as we’ve been all off-season. While I guess we’re not necessarily satisfied with where we are — I don’t think we’re ever satisfied — we are comfortable going into the spring with what we’ve got and let things play out."

The Phillies' payroll is hovering a little above $138 million at this point and contracts still need to be signed with J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Ben Francisco.

Contreras signed for $1.5 million and Amaro said the team will use him as a starter early in spring training. The intent is to eventually put Contreras in the bullpen, but should Kendrick struggle and Moyer's injuries linger, Amaro did not rule out the possibility of Contreras starting.

"This is a player who has already told us he’ll do whatever is best for the club, so if there’s a need in the rotation, then perhaps that’s the way to go," Amaro said. "If we see progress in both Kendrick and Jamie, then we’ll move him back to the bullpen so we can get some depth back there."

Contreras said he would prefer to start if he had his choice but understands that as a 38-year-old pitcher, a move to the bullpen could prolong his career. Read more in Friday's Inquirer about Contreras' decision to join the Phillies.

Health updates

Closer Brad Lidge began throwing three or four days ago, Amaro said. And lefty J.C. Romero began his throwing program on Jan. 17, he said.

" So far, so good," Amaro said. "No news is good news on those guys."

Amaro said he has not had a recent update on Moyer.

"He feels he is going to be ready to go opening day,"  Amaro said. "That’s a good sign. Our doctors probably think that might be a little aggressive, but we don’t know how he’s going to recover from the knee and the residual effects of the groin." 

It's official: Jose Contreras is a Phillie. The team has agreed to a one-year deal with the 38-year old right-handed pitcher worth $1.5 million.

Contreras will likely figure into the Phillies' bullpen plans, but as manager Charlie Manuel said earlier in the week, Contreras may start some games in spring training to stretch out his arm. But it does not appear he is a contender for the fifth starter's spot.

“Jose is a versatile pitcher who will likely get stretched out in spring training as a starter, but our scouts feel he is best suited for a significant role in the bullpen,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a release. “His competitiveness and durability are pluses and what he showed in his brief stint as a reliever in Colorado gives us reason to believe that he makes our pitching staff stronger.”

If he is to be exclusively a reliever, the Phillies will be asking Contreras to do something he's never done in his career. In 191 major-league appearances, he has started 175 games.

Last season, splitting time with the White Sox and Rockies, Contreras was a combined 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA. He pitched well for Colorado after the trade, going 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances -- five as a reliever.

Contreras' salary puts the Phillies' payroll at about $138.052 million for 2010 -- with contracts still needed for Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and Ben Francisco.

Contreras and Phillies general manager Amaro will meet the media at 1:30 p.m.

Fans will be able to see plenty of the Phillies this spring without making the trip to Clearwater, Fla. Twelve spring training exhbition games will be televised locally, the team announced today.

Phillies spring training will also air on 1210 WPHT for 14 games and phillies.com will stream six games live, but those dates have not been announced.

EXHIBITION GAME TV SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 4 vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (CSN)
Saturday, March 13 vs. Twins, 1:05 p.m. (MyPhl 17)
Tuesday, March 16 vs. Tigers, 1:05 p.m. (TCN)
Wednesday, March 17 vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (TCN)
Saturday, March 20 at Tigers, 1:05 p.m. (MyPhl 17)
Sunday, March 21 vs. Orioles, 1:05 p.m. (CSN)
Monday, March 22 vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, March 23 vs. Rays, 1:05 p.m. (TCN)
Wednesday, March 24 at Braves, 1:05 pm. (ESPN)
Sunday, March 28 vs. Pirates, 1:05 p.m. (CSN)
Wednesday, March 31 vs. Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m. (TCN)
Saturday, April 3 vs. Pirates (at Citizens Bank Park), 1:05 p.m. (MyPhl 17)

CSN: Comcast SportsNet
TCN: The Comcast Network

Matt Gelb here, still taking you through the January doldrums...

Plenty to go over from Tuesday's "State of the Phillies" address by manager Charlie Manuel. Today's Inquirer covers it from plenty of angles.

Now it's time to dissect. Besides Manuel's hint at something resembling a plan to develop Cole Hamels' curveball by having him throw it early and often in spring training, I think the most illuminating comments came about the team's two new bullpen acquisitions -- Danys Baez and Jose Contreras. And many of you e-mailers this morning agree with me.

Of course, Contreras is not officially signed yet (he still needs to pass a physical), Manuel sort of let the cat out of the bag on that one. Here is part of Manuel's answer when asked if he is concerned about the bullpen:

"[Brad] Lidge and [J.C.] Romero will play a huge part in our bullpen," Manuel said. "We definitely have to get them back and 100 percent. But we picked up two guys and both of these guys I know, Baez and Contreras. We've got two guys, if they're sore, stiff or they have a headache, they'll pitch. And I know they'll pitch. Both of these guys are mentally tough guys. If these two guys tell me they're hurt, they're hurt. And that makes me feel good. I know both of them could pitch two innings. And they'll take the ball every time I want to give it to them. I know Baez will not turn the ball down. I was very happy when we got both of these guys."

Was Manuel taking a thinly veiled shot at Chan Ho Park?

That's what a few of you readers e-mailed this morning. When Manuel was finished lauding Baez and Contreras, I couldn't help but think the same thing. Park is still unsigned and indications are he's looking for a chance to become a starter again somewhere. Did he fully embrace being a middle reliever last season? He certainly succeeded at it for the majority of the time, but Manuel's comments could open the door to questioning Park's willingness to accept what comes with the role.

So let's go to the numbers.

Last season, Park was converted from a starter to reliever in late May. He pitched out of the bullpen exclusively in 2008 for Los Angeles. And in two years with 87 relief appearances, Park pitched on back-to-back days just 10 times.

There are a few factors here: Park spent half of 2008 as a long reliever, thus appearances on back-to-back days wouldn't make sense. And he did need some time in 2009 to transition into a middle reliever.

In 38 relief appearances with the Phillies, Park pitched on consecutive days five times. Let's compare to the entire bullpen in 2009:

Park (38 games): 5 games (13.1%) on 0 days rest, 7.2 IN, 2.35 ERA, 4/0 K/BB
Scott Eyre (42 games): 7 games (16.7%) on 0 days rest, 3.1 IN, 0.00 ERA, 1/2 K/BB
Clay Condrey (45 games): 14 games (31.1%) on 0 days rest, 11 IN, 3.27 ERA, 9/2 K/BB
Chad Durbin (59 games): 10 games (16.9%) on 0 days rest, 11 IN, 4.91 ERA, 6/4 K/BB
J.C. Romero (21 games): 5 games (23.8%) on 0 days rest, 2.2 IN, 3.38 ERA, 1/4 K/BB
Ryan Madson (79 games): 29 games (36.7%) on 0 days rest, 28.1 IN, 2.86 ERA, 32/2 K/BB
Brad Lidge (67 games): 21 games (31.3%) on 0 days rest, 17.1 IN, 9.87 ERA, 18/9 K/BB

An aside: Madson's numbers on consecutive days are stunning. Condrey's aren't half bad, either.

Out of the regulars, Park pitched the smallest percentage of games on consecutive days. A warning: Usage statistics are hard to quantify. A lot depends on situations, the manager's preference and roles. But if Manuel's comments and prior tendencies are any sign, he wants a middle reliever who he can rely on every day -- even if he doesn't use him every day. Trust is a huge factor. And what manager doesn't want that?

Manuel was high in his praise of Baez and Contreras being available every day. Let's look at their usage trends from 2009:

Baez (59 games): 5 games (8.5%) on 0 days rest, 5.1 IN, 3.38 ERA, 2/0 K/BB
Contreras (5 games): 2 games (40%) on 0 days rest, 2 IN, 0.00 ERA, 1/2 K/BB

First, with respect to Contreras, he has rarely been a full-time reliever, the role the Phillies are likely to ask him to fill in 2010. He has pitched in 191 career games -- but just 16 as a reliever. And most of those have been as a long man, not in middle relief. So, for now, we'll have to take Manuel's assertion that Contreras will be available every day so long as he is healthy with a grain of salt. Contreras has never had to do it on a regular basis.

Now, to Baez. He missed the entire 2008 season with an elbow injury. That could explain the low percentage of outings on consecutive days. Here are his career figures:

Baez (427 games): 97 games (22.7%) on 0 days rest, 98.1 IN, 3.84 ERA, 73/33 K/BB

That percentage is closer to what Manuel is envisioning. During Baez's introductory news conference earlier this month, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said there was little concern about Baez's durability and the team felt he could pitch on back-to-back days with more than one inning at times.

So while Manuel is excited about the durability of his two new relievers, the numbers suggest to temper those expectations. But given Baez will now be two years removed from the injury and Contreras can focus on being a middle reliever full time, the trends could change.

Given a chance to step back and ponder the World Series defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees, Charlie Manuel decided one thing: His team can play better.
“It seemed like the patterns of the games, we were always trying to catch up,” the Phillies’ manager said. “It’s not like we were loafing. They got some good breaks. But we didn’t play our best baseball. We can beat them. At the end of the World Series, when I talked to the team, I told them, ‘We owe the Yankees one.’ They got us.”

He touched on a variety of topics:
 

Manuel said he would have preferred to have both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in his rotation, but said he understood the decision the Phillies’ front office made.
“Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball right now,” Manuel said. “Cliff Lee may be a tad behind. … Of course it would have been nice to have Halladay, Lee and [Cole] Hamels. I’d be looking good. As a matter of fact, I might buy more expensive furniture than the missus has been buying lately. Baseball is a business. I understand a lot of things. I have my own opinion and suggestions, but at the same time, I have a boss. I think from a business standpoint, the Phillies have definitely made good decisions. I trust them.”
Manuel called Lee after his trade from the Phillies to the Mariners, saying it was a “tough” conversation to have.
“He wanted to stay with us,” Manuel said. “He was disappointed. He said he liked everything about us. He liked Philadelphia. He liked the fans. He liked our team. He didn’t have nothing but good to say about us. But he was disappointed about the fact he couldn’t stay.”
Manuel is a big fan of the two additions through free agency to the Phillies’ bullpen, Danys Baez and Jose Contreras. Although the Contreras deal has not been officially completed, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said talks are continuing.
“We’ve got two guys, if they’re sore, stiff, or they have a headache, they’ll pitch,” Manuel said of Baez and Contreras. “And I know they’ll pitch. Both of these guys are mentally tough guys. If these two guys tell me they’re hurt, they’re hurt. And that makes me feel good. I know both of them could pitch two innings. And they’ll take the ball every time I want to give it to them. I know Baez will not turn the ball down. I was very happy when we got both of these guys.”
And so long as the team can eventually get Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero back healthy, Manuel expects decent production from his new-look relief corps.
“We have to get our bullpen stabilized coming out of spring training,” Manuel said. “Also, I say it every year, and it happens: We have somebody who always comes along, picks up, and does a pretty good job for us. I think the same thing can happen this year.
“I can see our bullpen being very productive, especially if we can keep Lidge healthy.”
 

The batting order

Manuel expects Placido Polanco to bat second. But that doesn’t mean Shane Victorino will bat at the bottom of the lineup all the time. And if Jimmy Rollins struggles as the leadoff hitter, Manuel said, Victorino could be inserted there.
“When I look at our lineup, I hope I’ll be able to move guys around some,” Manuel said. “I look at Polanco, he’s definitely a top-of-the-order hitter. He fits in the two hole. He makes good contact. He probably puts the bat on the ball as good as anybody on our team. He hits a lot of balls to the opposite field. He can play situational ball.
“I look at Shane, it’s not like he won’t hit sometimes at the top of the order because I think it gives us some options. He’ll probably either hit seventh, sixth.”
 

In reserve

 The bench is an area Manuel considers vastly improved from last season. The Phillies signed outfielder Ross Gload, infielder Juan Castro, and catcher Brian Schneider to solidify the bench.
Manuel said that if he can have more confidence in his reserve players, it could mean a few more scheduled days off for his regulars, like Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins.
“If you look at the players we picked up this past season, we’ve got some depth with Gload and [Ben] Francisco in the outfield and Castro, the infielder. We always talked about giving Rollins and Utley and Polanco a rest every now and then. A lot of times I like to push them and let them play 162 games because I like to put the best possible team on the field. But at the same time, I’m excited about our bench because we have versatility and we can do some things.”
 

Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com.