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Handful seem destined for injured list

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Gazing into the crystal baseball, the Phillies are seeing their injury picture is starting to come into focus.

Pat Burrell trots past Reds’ Kyle Lohse after hitting a home run.
Pat Burrell trots past Reds’ Kyle Lohse after hitting a home run.Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Gazing into the crystal baseball, the Phillies are seeing their injury picture is starting to come into focus.

Righthander Freddy Garcia (biceps tendinitis) threw in the bullpen yesterday afternoon. While the results were encouraging, indications are that he'll open the season on the disabled list.

He'll most likely be joined on the DL by righthander Jon Lieber (pulled side muscle) and catcher-infielder Chris Coste (hamstring).

Team officials were encouraged that catcher Carlos Ruiz (shoulder) and righthander Geoff Geary (hamstring) will be available when the season opens Monday against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Ruiz went 3-for-7 with two doubles and three RBI in minor league games yesterday afternoon. Geary pitched a perfect inning in last night's 6-2 win over the Reds at Bright House Networks Field.

Garcia, who was penciled in as the No. 3 starter before being forced to leave his start on March 21 after one inning, was throwing off a mound for the first time since. He was limited to 30 fastballs.

"He popped some," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "He's feeling better, which is good. We'll see how he responds."

Because of Tuesday's open date on the schedule, the Phillies shouldn't need a fifth starter until April 8. So the logical move would be to let Garcia start the year on the DL and have an extra roster spot available in the meantime.

Lieber will throw, probably off flat ground, today.

"He's going to miss some time," manager Charlie Manuel said.

That appears to pave the way for righthanders Clay Condrey and Jim Ed Warden to break with the team, barring a trade. And it would mean that the team would then have the choice of keeping a 12th pitcher or an extra position player, perhaps outfielder Michael Bourn.

Infielder Greg Dobbs, who had two doubles last night, also appears to have wrapped up a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Believe it or not

In their last 12 games, the Phillies relievers have a combined earned run average of 2.30.

In their last 12 games, the Phillies relievers have a combined earned run average of 2.30.

Taking the fifth

Charlie Manuel says he's not ready to give up on the idea of having Pat Burrell bat fifth behind defending National League MVP Ryan Howard.

Charlie Manuel says he's not ready to give up on the idea of having Pat Burrell bat fifth behind defending National League MVP Ryan Howard.

"We've got him bent over and overloading on his back foot," Manuel said. "It might take him a little while to get it, but I think he'll come around. He's making a real effort in practice [to hit the ball the other way]. In the games, I still see him getting pull-happy.

"Not that I wouldn't consider moving him in the lineup but, right now, he's my guy."

Burrell hit his third homer of the spring off Reds starter Kyle Lohse. For the record, he pulled it to left. He also went 2-for-4, raising his Grapefruit League average to .204.

First Geary

Reliever Geoff Geary, who has been sidelined by a strained hamstring, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning last night. It was his first appearance since March 15, but he expects to be ready by Monday.

Reliever Geoff Geary, who has been sidelined by a strained hamstring, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning last night. It was his first appearance since March 15, but he expects to be ready by Monday.

"I don't see why not," he said. "It's sore, but it's not grabbing. It's more mind over matter right now, but we still have a couple more days. I'm not going to blow myself out trying to be Superman down here."

In 81 appearances last season, Geary had a 2.96 earned run average.

Phillies 6, Reds 2

Lefthander Jamie Moyer, benefiting from some Cincinnati baserunning mistakes, held the Reds to two runs on eight hits in seven innings.

Lefthander Jamie Moyer, benefiting from some Cincinnati baserunning mistakes, held the Reds to two runs on eight hits in seven innings.

The only scoring against him came on a two-run homer by Edwin Encarnacion in the second.

Ryan Howard continues to struggle. In his first at-bat last night, he stung the ball, but his line drive was caught by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. Howard waved his hand in frustration.

He then whiffed in his last three at-bats. In the fifth, he came up against Reds reliever Jon Coutlangus with the bases loaded and two outs. After working a 3-0 count, he fouled off two pitches, then took a called third strike.

In the seventh, he faced Rheal Cormier with runners on first and third with nobody out and fanned swinging. He's now batting .203 this spring, with 23 strikeouts in 59 at-bats.

"It's there. It's not going anywhere," Manuel said. "Somebody's getting ready to feel it when he starts, and it might just be on Opening Day."

Reds centerfielder Ryan Freel made the play of the game, a diving grab of a line drive off the bat of Aaron Rowand in the second inning made just before he skidded into the fence. Now, Rowand knows how Xavier Nady, of the Mets, felt last May when Rowand made that spectacular catch off his long fly. Rowand, of course, smashed his nose and had to go on the disabled list. Freel had to leave the game with back spasms, but is expected to be fine.

The Phillies are 10-16-2. The crowd of 7,789 raised the spring attendance to a Clearwater record 115,066, with one home game left to play. *