Open audition, few jobs

BRADENTON, Fla. - Charlie Manuel said he kept hearing that his roster for the 2010 season is set even before Grapefruit League play began last week.

"To a degree, it is," Manuel admitted recently.

If Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero continue to progress in their recoveries from off-season surgeries, the Phillies could have as few as two open spots - the fifth starter along with the final bullpen job.

So as the exhibition games pick up this week, they will serve a greater purpose than preparation for Manuel's everyday players. The manager and his staff will use the flexibility to evaluate some of the potential depth the organization has should the Phillies need a call-up during the season.

"I want our guys in the minor leagues and all of our invitees to come in here and play hard," Manuel said. "I want us to play them as much as we possibly can. I want to get a look at them. I want to know who we're calling up during the year and what I think of him."

The Phillies have that luxury this spring. Manuel said his regulars would have 60 to 80 at-bats this spring, just like previous springs. But with so few spots available on the roster, Manuel already has his eye toward the regular season.

Remember, the 2009 Phillies' opening day roster included such names as Jack Taschner, Chris Coste, and Miguel Cairo. Players like Tyler Walker and Paul Bako weren't even in camp with the Phillies and ended up contributing.

Others, like John Mayberry Jr., Andrew Carpenter, Sergio Escalona, Antonio Bastardo, and Rodrigo Lopez, were the first players in the minors the Phillies turned to for help when injuries struck.

Like every team, the Phillies brought potential depth players to camp this spring. Nonroster invitees like outfielders Dewayne Wise and Chris Duffy and infielders Cody Ransom and Wilson Valdez all spent time in the majors last season.

Wise, who tripled on the second pitch of yesterday's exhibition game against Pittsburgh, made Atlanta's opening day roster in 2004 after going to camp as a nonroster invitee.

If the Phillies ask Wise to go to triple-A at the end of the spring, he said he would consider the assignment.

"I'll let them make the decision at the end of March," Wise said. "It's going to be tough. I know what these guys got over here. The roster is pretty much set, but anything can happen."

While the current depth chart isn't appealing for those trying to make the team out of camp, that can change during the season. And spring training is a time to at least make an impression.

"If I go back down, then I'll do what I do to get back up," said Carpenter, who pitched in three games for the Phillies last season.

Manuel wouldn't rule out someone's playing his way onto the roster.

"I want them to play as hard as they possibly can," Manuel said. "Let us make that decision. Make it as hard as possible for us to cut you. There's nothing wrong with people getting beat out in this game, and that happens."

Blanton's debut. Joe Blanton had one goal in his first spring training start: Throw strikes.

So he didn't use any of his breaking balls. He wasn't afraid to seek contact either.

"I just try to throw a lot of strikes," Blanton said. "I try to go over the white a lot then dial in from there and move to the corners. If I try to hit corners out of the gate, I'm way over here or over there. I have a lot more adjustments to make."

Pitching mostly around the plate, Blanton allowed three runs and five hits over his two innings yesterday against Pittsburgh.

"I'd rather have a good ERA in the season than a good ERA in spring training," Blanton said.

Extra bases. Brad Lidge said he could be within a week of throwing to hitters. He successfully threw a bullpen session Friday on one day's rest for the first time this spring. . . . The Phillies tied the Pirates, 3-3, yesterday. Their Grapefruit League record stands at 1-1-1. . . . Centerfielder Shane Victorino, who is still nursing soreness in his right shoulder, will not play again today. . . . Jamie Moyer will make his second start of the spring in another B game, on Wednesday at Bright House Field. . . . Pat Burrell will start in right field against the Phillies today when Tampa Bay visits Bright House Field.