Gillick: Myers about the only pitcher who fits in the budget right now

Traveling Pat Gillick was on his way to Tampa, Fla., to watch Brett Myers' second rehab start last night for the Class A Clearwater Threshers.

From the sound of it, activating Myers will be the Phillies' big trade-deadline move.

Myers struck out three and allowed a hit in a four-out, 25-pitch start and is due to pitch in another rehab outing tomorrow before rejoining the Phillies' bullpen Friday. Myers, the former No. 1 starter who converted to closer in May, has been out since May 24 with a strained right shoulder.

With the market for starting pitching astronomical and with rookies Kyle Kendrick and J.D. Durbin 6-2 combined in their 10 starts, Gillick indicated that, besides plugging in Myers, the Phillies won't change much before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

"We're going to continue to look and try to come up with something that can be an improvement. Some of the stuff out there isn't an improvement," Gillick said. "What is out there might improve us, but the asking price is off the wall. Astronomical.

"That might change by the 31st, but right now, you're hearing these asking prices and you're saying, 'You're crazy.' "

While in Florida, Gillick will check on the progress of the other four injured Phillies rehabbing at the team's complex in Clearwater.

Outfielder Jayson Werth, sidelined since June 29 with a strained left wrist, will play in a game tomorrow.

On a more long-term note, righthanded starter Freddy Garcia, righthanded reliever Francisco Rosario and righthanded starter Scott Mathieson all could be pitching in rehab games by Aug. 10-15, Gillick said.

Garcia hasn't pitched since June 8 because of shoulder soreness from wear and tear. Rosario's shoulder soreness sidelined him June 16. Mathieson had Tommy John surgery on his elbow in September. *