In a five-part series, the Daily News counts down to the start of Phillies Spring Training by looking at some of the big questions the team will have to answer when it arrives in Clearwater.
PART 5: QUESTIONS
Spring training is a difficult time to judge the overall strength of a baseball team. But here are five burning questions the Phillies face as they hold their first official workout of the spring on Sunday.
The Phillies will rely heavily on the starting rotation while Ryan Howard recovers from injury. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
The Phillies will rely heavily on the starting rotation while Ryan Howard recovers from injury. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
PART 1: THE LINEUP
Ryan Howard ruptured an Achilles´ tendon in the playoffs. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
Ryan Howard ruptured an Achilles' tendon in the playoffs. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
Whatever your opinion is of Ryan Howard's monetary worth, the fact is that the Phillies are a far less potent team without him in the lineup.
PART 2: THE BENCH
Ty Wigginton hit 15 homers in 62 games with the Rockies last season (Danny Moloshok/AP Photo)
Ty Wigginton hit 15 homers in 62 games with the Rockies last season (Danny Moloshok/AP Photo)
It might sound hokey, but the makeup of the Phillies' bench heading into the 2012 season really will depend on who's on first.
PART 3: THE ROTATION
The one area where the Phillies have been able to avoid injury over the last several seasons is at the top of their rotation.
PART 4: THE BULLPEN
The strength of the Phillies' bullpen will be determined by Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes who burst onto the scene last year.

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