Ibanez ran in the outfield, played catch, ran the bases, and took batting practice in an indoor cage. He will work out today, and if he feels good, will play tonight.
Ibanez will require three or four rehab games, or about 10 at-bats, meaning that while a Friday return is unlikely, the leftfielder could return shortly thereafter, barring setbacks.
"He's fine," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who watched the workout. "No complaints. We'll find out where he is [today], and if he feels ready, we'll step this up.
"We want him to play some to make sure he's 100 percent before he returns. We don't want any long-term issues."
Ibanez, 37, is hitting .312, with 22 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and a .371 on-base percentage, and appears likely to be elected to his first All-Star Game when final voting is announced Sunday.
Happ to start tomorrow
With Antonio Bastardo on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder, the Phillies are close to deciding on his replacement.
J.A. Happ will pitch on regular rest tomorrow in Atlanta, leaving Carlos Carrasco, Drew Carpenter, and veteran Rodrigo Lopez as candidates to pitch against the New York Mets on Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
Though Carrasco is considered to have the most potential and highest upside of the three minor-leaguers, there are indications the Phillies might go with one of the more experienced pitchers for this assignment.
Assistant general manager Benny Looper said the organization was near a decision and would likely make an announcement today or tomorrow.
"I would not consider it a spot start," Looper said. "It's a performance business," and if the pitcher succeeds, "he's got a chance to stay awhile."
The team has already used its option this season on both Carpenter and Carrasco (teams can burn a maximum of one option per year on a player), but not on Lopez.
Looper said the Phils were considering a combination of factors, including recent performance and experience.
Carpenter, a 24-year-old righthander, is 7-1 with a 2.75 earned run average at triple-A Lehigh Valley, and pitched eight scoreless innings Saturday.
Carrasco, 23, a lefty, began the season 0-6 for the IronPigs but has impressed the organization lately by winning four of his last five decisions. He is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA.
Lopez, 33, is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA. He is 65-65 as a major-league pitcher.
"He is pitching well," Looper said of Carpenter, whose fastball has been clocked at 87 to 88 m.p.h. "He doesn't have the fastball he used to, but he has good command of it."
In a related move, the Phillies acquired triple-A lefthander Brian Mazone, 32, from the Los Angeles Dodgers for future considerations. He will fill in for whoever is recalled from Lehigh Valley.
Bastardo shut down
Looper said Bastardo would not throw for a couple of weeks and then would begin rehabilitation.
Eyre rained out
Scott Eyre's planned rehabilitation assignment for the Gulf Coast Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., was rained out. He is scheduled to pitch tonight in Reading as he recovers from a strained calf.
Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.
