Phillies Notes: Stutes still hurt, exacerbating Phils' bullpen woes

CLEARWATER, Fla. - There is concern about Mike Stutes' balky shoulder, but even more about a muddled Phillies bullpen picture less than one week until the 2012 season starts.

Stutes was scratched from his scheduled appearance Friday because of right shoulder stiffness. He had been dealing with it for at least a week and originally thought it was normal spring training tightness. But it persisted.

"I finally had to say something," Stutes said.

Stutes, 25, was considered a lock for a bullpen job even with a shaky spring. Add him to the list of question marks along with Antonio Bastardo and Jose Contreras.

The Phillies plan to keep both Stutes and Contreras in Florida even after the team leaves Sunday. If able, they will pitch in minor-league games. That way, if one or both cannot begin the season on time, their stint on the disabled list can be retroactively dated.

Contreras is continuing to build arm strength from September elbow surgery, and pitching coach Rich Dubee said he's close.

"For us to be sitting here even mentioning his name now is a tribute to our medical staff and him," Dubee said. "I didn't think he'd be this far along this early."

Stutes has allowed six runs on 13 hits in 9 1/3 innings this spring for a 5.79 ERA. He's been scored upon in each of his three most recent outings during the previous six days. As a 24-year-old rookie, Stutes was a revelation. He pitched in 62 innings, many of them important situations, and posted a 3.63 ERA.

There are no plans for further testing to evaluate Stutes' shoulder. He'll attempt to play catch Saturday. Dubee noted Stutes' velocity has been fine and that it could be a case of fatigue.

"We're hoping it's not a big deal," Dubee said. "We don't think it is, but we'll know more as we get into it."

Stutes was scheduled to start Friday's game in Tampa, Fla., against the Yankees in a bullpen game for the Phillies. Instead, Bastardo will start.

Bastardo is not without his own concerns. Dubee said Bastardo's fastball has not reached its typical velocity late in spring. The lefthander had complained of left forearm stiffness, which the Phillies diagnosed as a by-product of dehydration. Still, he has yet to overcome those issues, raising further questions. Earlier in the week, Dubee maintained there is nothing structurally wrong with Bastardo's arm.

The uncertainties could open a spot for David Herndon, Joe Savery, or Raul Valdes, all three of whom remain in camp.

The Phillies told outfielder Luis Montanez and catcher Tuffy Gosewisch they will not make the team, but they will continue to travel until the season begins. Catcher Erik Kratz was optioned, and infielder Tim Kennelly was reassigned to minor-league camp. . . . Washington demoted infielder Andres Blanco to their minor-league camp, and manager Davey Johnson told reporters he expects the Phillies to have interest in the 27-year-old Venezuelan. Blanco can ask for his release. He's played second, shortstop and third and is a career .255 hitter in 235 major-league games. . . . The Phillies and Bright House Networks agreed to a five-year extension for stadium naming rights in Clearwater. Terms were not disclosed.