IS TAKING DOC TO SEE THE DOC
CLEARWATER, Fla. — For the first time since September elbow surgery, Jose Contreras threw off a mound Tuesday. A large Phillies front office contingent watched the session. When Contreras finished throwing, Antonio Bastardo clapped.
"He threw very, very well," Dubee said.
That leaves the 40-year-old Contreras not far behind the rest of the pitchers in camp. But Dubee cautioned the team will be conservative with Contreras this spring to keep him fresh for the season.
Dubee said he was not surprised by the progress.
"Our reports have been good in the offseason and how he progressed through his long-toss program," Dubee said. "He was up here during our mini-camp throwing pain-free."
EXTRA BASES: Shane Victorino arrived in camp, but not without Jimmy Rollins poking fun at his Monday appearance on CBS' drama "Hawaii 5-0." Rollins had a red carpet leading to Victorino's locker with a director's chair and lights waiting for the outfielder. Victorino is a free agent at season's end. … Chad Qualls reported to camp after being excused for personal reasons.
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Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.
This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.
Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
To submit a question for Matt Gelb's Phillies mailbag, click here.
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