CLEARWATER, Fla. - Kris Benson thinks he's ready to face big league hitters. Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee aren't sure yet.

One thing both sides would agree on: If Benson continues to improve at his current rate, he could be ready to join the rotation before the start of June.

"I don't know about May," Manuel said. "I definitely think it can happen before June."

Yesterday marked the first time Manuel watched Benson pitch in a live game since the righthander started against the Phillies with the Mets 2 years ago. The Phillies manager liked what he saw: Benson threw 57 pitches, 27 for strikes, averaging 85-88 mph on his pitches.

He allowed five hits and two earned runs, striking out four and walking one.

The last pitch Benson threw registered 86, about 4 mph below what he was throwing before he had rotator-cuff surgery last March. But, he said, the extra velocity will come with time.

Right now, his chief concern is getting a couple of appearances against big league hitters before the Phillies head north. Benson said the last thing he wants is to leave camp without any appearances in Grapefruit League play.

"It's not a situation I want to be in," he said. "I want to kind of get my feet wet now, and then if I have to take a step back and pitch against some minor leaguers later, at least I have that in the back of my mind that I kind of got a feel of what's it's like to pitch in a big league game."

When will that happen?

A lot will depend on how he feels today, when he and Dubee, the Phillies pitching coach, compare notes and assess his most recent outing. Manuel indicated that Benson would likely get at least one more start in a controlled environment before his first appearance in a major league game. But the veteran starter said he'd try to convince Dubee today to let him throw a couple of innings in a game next week. On the Tuesday that Benson would likely be scheduled to pitch, the Phillies host Tampa Bay.

"I've got to get out there a couple of times to face major league hitters instead of continuing to face minor league guys," he said.

Benson last pitched in a major league game on Sept. 27, 2006, with the Orioles. He allowed eight earned runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings of a 16-5 loss to the Yankees. In February 2007, he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. He had surgery a month later, sidelining him for all of last season.

When Benson signed on Feb. 13, the Phillies said they were "hopeful" that Benson would compete for a spot in the starting rotation by the end of the spring. It appears he is right on schedule.

"If they wanted me ready by Opening Day, I think I could be ready by Opening Day," Benson said. "If they want me to get some more outings, it's not going to hurt. I think any period after Opening Day, I can be ready. It's up to them, what they want to do."

The team will have to outline its plan to Benson at some point in the next 11 days. Benson has an out clause in his contract that he can exercise if he isn't on the 40-man roster by March 25. A likely scenario has the Phillies putting him on the roster, then starting him on the disabled list and allowing him to get two or three starts at the minor league level.

Benson has said repeatedly that he expects to remain a Phillie this year.

"We'll probably end up having some more serious talks about exactly about what my plan is with the team, where they envision me being in their rotation, what they want to keep doing in the minors or the majors," he said.

Although the Phillies aren't sure whether they'll consent to Benson's wish to throw in a Grapefruit League game in his next appearance, they continue to be impressed with his recovery. In a little more than a month in Clearwater, he's earned the reputation as an extremely hard worker with a tremendous focus on returning to the mound.

"To Benny's credit, he's in games a couple of weeks ahead of schedule," Dubee said. "The hard work and his rehab have been coming along well."

Dubee said he isn't worried about Benson regaining the extra velocity he is still lacking.

"I'm pretty thrilled with his velocity right now; 86 to 88 in the first inning - that's really good right now," Dubee said.

Benson said he expects the Phillies would want him to throw three or four consistent outings at a certain pitch count, perhaps 90-plus, before they are comfortable inserting him into the rotation.

Whether that's late May or late April remains to be seen.

Today's game

The Phillies will get another look at righthander Francisco Rosario, who Manuel said could be working his way into the competition for the No. 5 starter's spot. Rosario, who will likely start today against the Braves, has allowed just one run in 8 2/3 innings this spring. The 27-year-old started 89 games in the minor leagues, but spent last season as a reliever with the Phillies, going 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA in 23 appearances.

Hamels' health

Cole Hamels sounded as if he were hacking up a foreign object, but he still managed to pitch five innings of a minor league game yesterday. The lefty missed a scheduled start Wednesday due to a bout with the flu. Hamelsperformed fairly well: two hits, one earned run, six strikeouts and one walk on 64 pitches. He also had the rare opportunity to face Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino, who competed alongside one team of minor leaguers.

Hamels got Victorino to fly out once, then walked him on four pitches. "I didn't want to come in on him, because I value him in the outfield," Hamels said. "I need him out there."

Last night's game

The Phillies won for just the third time this month, beating the Reds in Sarasota, 10-7, to improve to 5-10-1 in Grapefruit League play. Jamie Moyer pitched five innings, allowing all four of his runs in the third. He struck out two and walked three. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard did not play. Second baseman Casey Smith starred, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. Smith, now hitting .467, finished with four RBI and two runs scored. Prior to the game, catcher Tim Gradoville was re-assigned to minor league camp. *