CLEARWATER, Fla. - Despite Kris Benson's current bout with soreness in his surgically repaired right arm, the Phillies still believe he will be in a position to help the team sometime in May.

The team has finalized a new contract with the potential starter, sources said, increasing the minor league salary he will receive as well as creating a new date on which he can opt out of his contract.

If Benson isn't on the major league roster and pitches in more than 10 minor league innings before May 15, he can opt out of the deal. Otherwise, he can opt out if he isn't added to the big league roster by June 1.

Benson's original contract contained a clause that enabled him to opt out if he wasn't added to the big league roster by March 25. But recent shoulder soreness has set back his progression. Yesterday, he told reporters he thought he was 5 or 6 weeks away from being able to pitch in a major league game.

Benson, who will play catch again Saturday, will earn $75,000 a month in his new deal, according to sources. Previously, he was making $25,000 a month.

Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who handles the team's negotiations, has consistently declined to comment on Benson's contract situation.

Help on the way?

After throwing four scoreless innings and striking out six while picking up the save against the Yankees, minor leaguer Andrew Carpenter said he hopes to become "the next Kyle Kendrick." There's a chance, however, that he might become the next Joba Chamberlain or Jonathan Papelbon, two minor league starters who later played big roles for the Yankees and Red Sox out of the bullpen. Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel didn't hide their enthusiasm for the 6-3, 245-pound righthander after his performance yesterday.

"I don't think he's far down the road," Dubee said.

Carpenter went 17-6 with a 3.20 ERA and won two playoff games at high-A Clearwater last season. He said he was disappointed that he didn't receive an invitation to big league spring training this year, and after his performance yesterday Manuel said the disappointment is mutual. Carpenter throws five pitches and has a nice split-fingered fastball he uses as his out pitch. Dubee was particularly impressed with the way he got out of his only jam. After loading the bases in the ninth with no out, he recorded three straight outs - two on strikeouts - to end the game.

"He's a pitcher," Dubee said. "He's not going to impress anybody by throwing up 95s on the radar gun, but I thought he was very impressive."

It's too early to tell whether the Phillies will need him, regardless of whether it is as a starter or as a reliever. But Dubee and Manuel both said they'll keep their eye on them throughout the early part of the season.

"It was a good challenge for me to see what I can do and see what I'm made of," said Carpenter, who turns 23 in May. "I found out what I'm made of, so hopefully I can get there and stay there and keep doing what I did today for a long time and help the Phillies win a championship."

Pocket aces

The Phillies feel like they have a pair of potential 20-game winners atop their rotation in Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, and Myers' performance against the Yankees yesterday seemed to support that notion. The veteran righthander, who will start Opening Day against the Nationals on Monday, allowed two hits and walked two in 5 scoreless innings. Myers struck out three and recorded the win in the Phillies' 4-0 victory.

Zagurski surgery

Reliever Mike Zagurski hopes to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime in the next 10 days with the goal of returning to the mound by the end of next spring training. The lefthander injured the elbow while throwing in a minor league game over the weekend. Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery in Birmingham, Ala.

Lopes appearance

First-base coach Davey Lopes was greeted with hugs by players like Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth as he returned to Bright House Field. Lopes was diagnosed with prostate cancer early in spring training and had surgery earlier this month. He said through a Phillies spokesman that he "felt good." A timetable for his return to the field is not yet known.

Trading for a lefty

It's still too early to tell whether the Phillies might have the opportunity to add Giants lefty Steve Kline through a trade. The Phillies are believed to be interested, but Kline is currently in a battle for one of San Francisco's remaining bullpen spots.

"He's pitched well lately and he's a veteran who takes the ball," Giants general manager Brian Sabean told the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's well-liked in the clubhouse, well-liked because of his durability, and he's under contract."

Kline, 34, posted a 4.70 ERA in 68 appearances last season. The Giants have a few other lefties who are strong candidates to earn a spot in the bullpen. It isn't likely that the team would keep three. *