Phils can't make bullpen deal

The non-waiver trade deadline expired at 4 p.m. Sunday and the Phillies found no relief, although they apparently tried.

One area that the Phillies reportedly were looking to upgrade after Friday's acquisition of outfielder Hunter Pence was the bullpen.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted after Sunday's 10-inning, 6-5 win over the Pirates that the Phillies kicked the trade tires with a variety of clubs.

Amaro said he is satisfied with the bullpen - for now. Trades can still be made if a player clears waivers.

"I like our bullpen," he said. "I'll like it more if [Jose] Contreras gets back."

Contreras has not pitched since June 19 because of a right-elbow injury. Amaro says Contreras is feeling good after a second plasma injection. Contreras is in Clearwater, Fla., and is slated to throw on Tuesday, the GM said.

Amaro acknowledged that the pursuit of more relief pitching is not over.

"There's ways to improve it," he said. "I would say the likelihood of that happening is not great, but we'll still continue to look to do things."

Did it reflect confidence in the Phillies bullpen when they did not acquire a reliever, or were they simply unable to get a deal done? Either way, closer Ryan Madison had little time for the question.

"I really don't care about trades," Madson said before leaving with his teammates for a 10-game road trip that begins Monday in Colorado.

Madson has a 1.91 ERA and has 18 saves in 19 opportunities, thriving in his role as a closer.

Lefthander Antonio Bastardo, who will be 26 in September, is 4-0 with a 1.34 ERA and is perfect in eight save opportunities.

Righthander Michael Stutes, who will be 25 next month, is 5-1 with a 3.11 ERA in his first major-league season.

Entering Sunday's win, the Phillies bullpen had pitched the lowest total of innings in the National League (2681/3).

That is a testament to how deep the starters take the Phillies into games.

"We have to make sure we keep our bullpen organized and rested," manager Charlie Manuel said after Sunday's win.

A question is whether Bastardo and Stutes can continue their effective pace for an entire season and an anticipated postseason.

Reliever Brad Lidge feels those two will continue to prosper.

"They are so mentally tough and able to handle things," he said. "I see them continuing to pitch the way they have."

Another question is Lidge, who allowed one run in the seventh inning Sunday and is still trying to find his form. He had been out all season with a shoulder injury until being activated on July 22.

"It might take a little time, because I'm not locked in yet," said Lidge, who has thrown just 22/3 innings in four appearances.

Teams such as St. Louis and particularly Texas beefed up their bullpens during the last week. Of course, those two teams are in much closer races for a playoff spot than the Phillies.

So those teams were more desperate for immediate help. Could bullpen help for the Phillies come later?