Phillies Notes | Gordon back in bullpen; Sanches out

Reliever

Tom Gordon

, who has been out since May 2 with a strained right rotator cuff, will be activated before tonight's game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Reliever

Brian Sanches

(four home runs served last night) was optioned to triple-A Ottawa. In addition,

Freddy Garcia

was moved from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

Gordon, who threw a bullpen session before last night's loss, said he was "still climbing" and "starting to get a feel for my pitches." He added that he was "excited to be back. I want to help in any way I can."

Manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee said Gordon will be eased into his role. In other words, don't expect the 39-year-old righthander to be the club's setup man or closer tonight.

"We have to give him some work in a game before we give him a big moment in the back of the bullpen," Manuel said.

"First, we need him to pitch in a [non-save] situation to get him comfortable again," Dubee said, adding that "we can't pitch him back-to-back right away. How we use him will depend on how he's feeling."

Brett Myers

, recovering from a right-shoulder strain, will pitch to hitters in Clearwater, Fla., tomorrow. If all goes well, he will go on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Despite a depleted starting staff, Manuel said there is "no chance whatsoever" of Myers' going back into the rotation. He will eventually return to his closer's role.

"It would take a while to get him stretched out [to start], and we didn't put him back there to keep moving him back and forth," Manuel said.

Abraham Nuñez

has not started any of the three games since the all-star break, but the utility player doesn't plan to make a fuss.

"You want to play as much as you can, but you just have to go about your business and make the most of the situation," he said. "By complaining or being bitter, it wouldn't get results."

Nuñez, Greg Dobbs and Wes Helms were in the third-base rotation in the season's first half. Manuel said Nuñez is still in the rotation.

The Phils were 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position last night. "Nunie will get some playing time and will play some at third," the manager said. "And when needed, he'll give [Jimmy] Rollins or [Chase] Utley a blow and he'll play short and second base."-Sam Carchidi