IS BUYING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
With the regular season ending Sunday, the Phillies have many unanswered questions, especially in their bullpen.
Who will be the closer? Who will be able to pitch? Who will be left off the playoff roster?
The Phillies have not wanted to talk much about it because they have not clinched a playoff spot. They also have few answers.
The team had one bit of good news: Lefthander J.C. Romero, who had last pitched on July 19 and had been out with a forearm strain, was activated before last night's game. He pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing two hits, in an 8-2 loss to the Houston Astros.
Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said before the game that the team would not use Romero on two consecutive days right away.
Asked if he was 100 percent, Romero said that no one at this stage of the season is 100 percent.
"I am healthy enough to contribute and hoping to get better and this is a huge first step," Romero said.
Righthander Brett Myers (strained upper back muscle) has not pitched since Sept. 12, but he threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session yesterday, according to Dubee.
"He threw fine," said Dubee, who would not say when any injured pitcher might return.
Dubee said righthander Chan Ho Park (strained hamstring) also threw a bullpen session yesterday in Clearwater, Fla. Park last pitched on Sept. 16.
Dubee said Pedro Martinez, sidelined with a sore neck, was coming along, but he would not say when his next start would be. The righthander is listed as the Phillies' probable starter on Thursday.
"I feel great," Martinez said.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz, out with inflammation and a sprain in his left wrist, took live batting practice yesterday. He last played last Tuesday against the Florida Marlins.
Ruiz said he felt about 80 percent and was not experiencing much pain. He said he hopes to be back in a few days.
"It's feeling good, and I feel I can finish the season," he said. "We'll see what happens."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he would lean toward a 12-man pitching staff for the postseason.
Manuel was asked about starting pitchers for the postseason.
"Right now, we haven't talked a lot about it, and when we do, we want to get the bullpen straightened out" first, he said. "That could affect who we use, too, in the rotation."
Dubee had an interesting reply when asked if lefthander J.A. Happ could be a closer in the postseason.
"He probably could, and I wouldn't hesitate to use him in that role in the bullpen," Dubee said. "I think Pedro could finish a game if he had to, and I think Joe Blanton could. We have options with [Ryan] Madson and [Brad] Lidge too."
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
Photos: 2009 Phillies 
