Phillies Notebook: Phillies bats are still hibernating

TAMPA, Fla. - Not much changed yesterday. The Phillies did not hit. And Chase Utley was not in the lineup. Those have been the two dominant themes 11 games into the Grapefruit League schedule. But Charlie Manuel says he isn't concerned about either.

"We're going to score," he said yesterday after the Yankees held his team to five hits in a 7-1 loss at George H. Steinbrenner Field.

He was a little less definite when asked if he was going to see his star second baseman in the lineup on Opening Day.

The Phillies did not provide an update on Utley, who received a cortisone injection in his right knee on Friday in an effort to combat the patellar tendinitis that has hampered him all spring. The perennial All-Star has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game, but the club has downplayed its concern about his ability to get himself ready by the start of the season.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Sunday he expected to know more about the condition of Utley's knee and the effect of the cortisone shot within 24 to 48 hours. Yesterday, Manuel provided his own time frame.

"I'll probably know in a couple days or the end of the week what's up," the manager said. "It kind of sounds that way. I think we'll be all right there. I think we'll see him."

Roy Oswalt, who allowed three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in the loss, was also optimistic about Utley's return.

"I think he'll be fine," he said. "I think it's spring training. They don't want to put him out there every day."

Of the regulars who are playing, most still appear to be searching for their rhythm. That's hardly an uncommon occurrence this early in the spring. Still, a certain level of trepidation might start to creep in if the offense does not find its groove soon, given the struggles it endured last year. In 2010, the Phillies scored three or fewer runs in 75 games, their highest total since 1997. Thus far this spring, they have accomplished that feat in six of 11 games, including three of the last four.

Yesterday, Wilson Valdez provided the lone offensive highlight, clubbing a solo home run against Hector Noesi in the sixth inning. Valdez, who played second base yesterday and would be the first option if Utley missed time during the regular season, is 9-for-17 with two extra-base hits this spring. Rightfielder Ben Francisco, who went 0-for-3 yesterday but overall is 8-for-25, with two doubles, a triple and two homers, is the lone regular off to a hot start.

Jimmy Rollins is 5-for-24, Ryan Howard is 6-for-22 with six strikeouts, Placido Polanco is 5-for-21, Shane Victorino is 6-for-21, Raul Ibanez is 4-for-20, and Carlos Ruiz is 2-for-8.

Of course, the finish is far more important than the start.

As expected, Domonic Brown will undergo surgery today to repair the fractured hamate bone in his right hand. The 23-year-old outfielder, who met with hand specialist Dr. Randall Culp yesterday in Philadelphia, is expected to be playing in 4-to-6 weeks.

Ryan Howard ran into an old nemesis yesterday when he struck out against lefty Pedro Feliciano, who signed with the Yankees after eight seasons with the Mets. Howard is 7-for-36 with 14 strikeouts and two walks in his career against Feliciano . . . The damage in the loss to the Yankees would have been worse if third-base umpire Dan Iassogna had not overturned an RBI single by Eric Chavez in the third inning. Phils righthander Vance Worley appealed the play, and Iassogna ruled that Jorge Posada had not touched the bag while turning for home . . . Worley allowed two runs on five hits in two innings of work. Drew Naylor was impressive in his 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out three of the six batters he faced, including top prospect Jesus Montero and rightfielder Nick Swisher . . . Scheduled to pitch today against Baltimore are Cole Hamels, Jose Contreras, Danys Baez, Brad Lidge, Antonio Bastardo, Andrew Carpenter and Dan Meyer . . . The Phillies will be featured on TBS' Sunday games on April 10 and May 15, both at Atlanta.