Phillies Notebook: Adams' availability in question for now

NEW YORK - After blowing leads late in each of the last two games, the Phillies arrived at Citi Field with another bullpen problem: The availability of their setup man was unknown.

Mike Adams, who pitched in three of the previous four games, was held out of action Thursday when the Phillies watched a 3-1 lead after seven innings turn into a 6-4 loss to the Pirates. Both manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee were unsure whether they'd have Adams at their disposal against the New York Mets last night. It sounded like a game-time decision.

Adams had pitched in 11 of the Phillies' first 22 games following Wednesday night, when he didn't retire a batter, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in a 5-3 loss to the Pirates.

A week earlier, Adams told Comcast SportsNet's "Philly Sports Talk" that he wasn't 100 percent physically. But since he pitched in four of the first seven games on the homestand, it apparently wasn't an issue.

So, why the break?

"A lot of work," Dubee said. "He had a tender hip, but that's no issue. He aggravated it one day. But that you go with . . . you'll have stuff [like that] on a regular basis. But the workload - he's pitched a lot."

Only 10 National League relievers had appeared in more games entering play yesterday. The Phils have had to lean on the back of their bullpen routinely in the first 3 weeks of the season. Entering yesterday, 14 of their 23 games were decided by one or two runs.

The abundance of high-pressure, small-margin-for-error situations has meant more work for the likes of Adams and Antonio Bastardo, who also was unavailable Thursday.

"We took a shot the other night in a tie game with Mike," Dubee said. "Sometimes you take a shot there because it's tied and you don't know what's going to happen the next night. Sometimes you say to heck with it, and you go with someone else and see if you can get through it. You have to pick your spots."

Adams allowed one earned run in his first seven appearances; he struck out 10 and walked one in six innings during that span. In his last four games, Adams has allowed three earned runs while striking out four and walking three in three innings.

On Wednesday night, he threw only 12 of his 21 pitches for strikes.

"I think it's a physical thing, a wear-and-tear thing of probably too much too early," Dubee said. "All of a sudden, you're fatigued, you're trying to do more, you're off your line and you miss."

Adams, 34, signed a 2-year, $12 million contract as a free agent with the Phillies in December. He had surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome - which included having a rib removed - following the 2012 season.

"You have to be careful with everybody," Dubee said on whether he had to be more conservative in his usage of Adams.

Ben Revere could return to the lineup today. Or he may take the rest of the weekend to get his left quadriceps 100 percent healthy.

After being out of the lineup for the first time in 23 games on Thursday, the centerfielder said he felt better yesterday, but he couldn't pinpoint when he'd return to regular action.

"They want it to be 100 percent," Revere said. "We'll just see how it feels tomorrow."

When asked whether he could miss the whole Mets series, Revere didn't rule it out and pointed out that Monday is an off day. If the Phillies wanted, they could keep Revere out of the starting lineup all weekend and save him for the start of a two-game series in Cleveland in Tuesday, which would give him 5 full days off.

Delmon Young (right ankle) played in his second game for Triple A Lehigh Valley at Indianapolis last night. It was the sixth day in a rehab schedule that can go no longer than 20 days, unless he has an injury setback.

"It depends on how he progresses," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said of whether Young could be activated soon.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, in Reading last night to watch the Double A tune-up stint for catcher Carlos Ruiz, also talked about Young's progress.

"He's doing pretty good," Amaro said. "He's swinging the bat well, and he's starting to move around much better.

"I'm not sure that he's quite 100 percent, but he's moving around in the outfield much better, making the plays. He's making the routine play. I don't think he's ever going to be a plum defender, but he's adequate out there.

"We need him to be adequate. We can't have him be a liability in the outfield because it just won't help us. But I think he's going to help us offensively, if and when he comes."

Amaro said he wasn't sure if Young would spend the full 20-day assignment with the Iron Pigs or join the Phillies sooner.

"We have the ability to wait it out, but I think he would have the ability to be ready earlier than that," Amaro said. "That's why we're watching him. Let him play and see how it goes."

Daily News columnist John Smallwood contributed.