Phillies Notes: Blanton activated, just in case

Joe Blanton had thrown only 11 pitches against live hitters since he last pitched for the Phillies May 14.

Regardless, the righthander was activated from the 60-day disabled list Monday. His return was hastened because the Phillies bullpen was stretched thin during the weekend series at Florida and the club needed another arm available in case things went haywire in Monday's game against Atlanta.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. conceded Blanton likely wouldn't have been activated had the bullpen, which was already shorthanded, not been taxed.

"He would probably only play in an emergency situation," Amaro said. "We talked to Joe and when we got clarity this wasn't going to be a medical risk for him, we asked if he could go and he said he felt he could. He didn't know how sharp he was going to be because he's only had one appearance."

The Phillies didn't have Kyle Kendrick available for the Marlins series because he was on paternity leave. Kendrick was reinstated Monday. He and his wife had their first child, a daughter.

The Phillies began the three-game series against the Braves determined not to use Antonio Bastardo. Also, David Herndon was not available Monday after throwing 69 pitches during Sunday's 14-inning loss.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to get through this game in a clean fashion," Amaro said.

Blanton has pitched 201 career games and only five have been out of the bullpen. He had one relief appearance last season, on Oct. 3, the final day of the regular season, at Atlanta. He went on the DL May 23, retroactive to May 16, with elbow inflammation. He also began the season on the DL. Despite extensive examinations, no structural damage was found in his elbow.

In his lone rehab assignment, Blanton pitched one inning Friday for single-A Lakewood.

Asked if he had thought he'd be unable to return this season, Blanton took a long pause and said, "I don't know. I tried not to think about that. I just tried to keep plugging along until somebody said it was [over]."

Blanton said he hasn't felt pain from recent bullpen sessions.

Manager Charlie Manuel denied an assertion by umpire Joe West that he asked for a video review to determine whether the ball hit by Hunter Pence in Sunday's loss to Florida was a home run.

"I don't know what he's trying to do," Manuel said. "You can see I don't talk to him until after the decision was made. I was arguing the part that you can't review a defensive play. It bothers me because I'd already gotten thrown out of the game and they'd gotten together and made a decision before I said anything at all about a review."

West said the play was reviewed because Manuel wanted it. Following the review, West ruled a fan interfered with rightfielder Bryan Petersen's attempt to catch the ball. Instead of a double, Pence was ruled out.

The Phillies filed a protest based on improper use of video replay.

"Our feeling is the utilization of the video was not properly used in this case," Amaro said. "In our estimation, and how we interpret the rule, is you utilize video replay to decide whether there's a home run or not, and we didn't feel that was the case here."

Amaro added that the rule is "very clear." He said he has no idea when the matter will be decided.

Of course, if the Phillies happen to win the protest they would have to return to Florida to replay the game. That would pose a serious problem because they have no off days for the remainder of the season.

"We're just trying to do what we think is right and we'll deal with the consequences after that," Amaro said.

It's not likely Jimmy Rollins will be activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, the first day he is eligible to return.

The shortstop is out with a strained right groin.

"It's going to be kind of a day-to-day thing to see when he's ready to go," Amaro said. "But he's getting closer."

Obviously, there is no need for the Phillies to rush Rollins back because of their big lead in the NL East.

"He's doing well," Amaro said. "He's taking ground balls and we'll stretch him out a little more with running."

Charlie Manuel made it clear he and pitching coach Rich Dubee want to give rookie Antonio Bastardo a couple of days' rest, which left the Phillies without a lefthanded reliever for Monday's game.

"We want to stay away from Bastardo for the next couple days," Manuel said. "This is the most he's ever pitched. He definitely needs a blow."

Bastardo walked the first two batters he faced in Saturday's loss to the Marlins. The Phillies obviously attribute it to fatigue. He suffered his first loss of the season. Opponents are batting .110 against Bastardo, lowest in the NL.