Lee faces hitters, ready for next step
Cliff Lee, who was limited to 13 starts last season, continued in his path to prove he's healthy this spring on Wednesday morning, when he faced hitters for the first time since July.
After throwing off the mound with the rest of the Phillies projected starting rotation on Thursday, the first day of official workouts in Clearwater, Cliff Lee did not join Cole Hamels, Aaron Harang and company when they were back on the bumps Saturday.
The Phillies are being cautious with Lee, so he was moved back a day.
But on Wednesday, the second day of full squad workouts, when hitters stepped in to face pitchers in live batting pratice, Lee threw to hitters. It was his first time throwing to hitters since July.
"It felt good, felt normal," Lee said. "No complaints."
Although he's not the one making out the schedule, Lee gave himself the green light to jump into games when the exhbition season starts next week. The Phillies host the University of Tampa on Sunday before the Grapefruit League opens on Tuesday.
"Yeah, I think so," Lee said of his readiness. "But I don't know what the schedule says. I know we discussed just easing into it, making sure we don't do anything stupid early. I had 2 days in between bullpens, where everyone else had a day. (We're just) trying to make sure you're better safe than sorry early. But everything feels good."