READING - Raul Ibanez went hitless in his first minor-league rehabilitation game yesterday, but that didn't bother the Phillies' all-star leftfielder.
Ibanez was thrilled that for the first time in weeks, he didn't feel even a twinge of pain in his left groin.
"I felt better than I even expected," he said after playing five innings for the Reading Phillies in a 4-3 matinee loss to Connecticut.
Ibanez had played with a groin strain for several weeks before going on the disabled list June 18.
"Back when I was playing, every time I'd move I could feel it," Ibanez said. "I didn't feel anything today. That was good."
Ibanez's rehab will shift to Allentown tonight. He will start in left field for the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in a 7:05 game against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Ibanez will likely take tomorrow off. If the Phils determine he needs another rehab game, which is likely, he could suit up again for the IronPigs on Thursday night when they visit the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. That would put Ibanez in line to rejoin the big club Friday, when it opens a three-game series against Pittsburgh at Citizens Bank Park. The all-star break follows that series. Ibanez has been voted a starter in next week's All-Star Game.
"I'm one step closer to getting back on the field," Ibanez said after yesterday's game.
Ibanez played five innings in left field, and though he did not handle a chance, he was able to give his injured groin a good test.
"Every time a guy fouls a ball off, you're testing it," he said. "Every time a guy takes a swing, you're moving in the outfield.
"I didn't have to run anything down in the gap or anything like that, but that's the way it goes sometimes. We laid down a bunt, and I was able to go to second and not feel anything."
Ibanez struck out swinging at a 3-2 pitch, walked, and flied out to right field in three trips to the plate against righthander Brooks McNiven.
"Of course, there was rust," he said. "I haven't seen a live ball in almost three weeks. You feel a little rusty and you feel your way around. But after the first at-bat, I felt a little better; the second at-bat I felt a little better; the third at-bat a little better. Now it's just timing. The big thing here was to check the health" of his groin.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel would like to see Ibanez get about a dozen plate appearances before returning.
"That's fine by me," Ibanez said. "The sooner, the better. You want to get in there and help the club. But you don't want to go out there when you haven't seen any pitches just to put a body out there. You want to be productive.
"I'd like to be activated this week, but I have to take these steps first and be smart. I don't want to overdo anything or be too crazy."
Despite missing 17 games, Ibanez was tied for third in homers (22) and tied for fifth (59) in RBIs in the National League entering play last night.
Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@phillynews.
