Phillies Notes: Mike Adams sits out again

MILWAUKEE - Mike Adams grabbed a seat in front of a laptop in the visitors clubhouse and searched for answers in the form of video. Bullpen coach Rod Nichols stopped and chatted. While seated, Adams mimicked his pitching motion. Later, pitching coach Rich Dubee acted as his sounding board.

The Phillies agreed to pay Adams $12 million over two seasons so he could bring stability to the eighth inning. The pitcher has a history of injuries and his latest, described as "biceps irritation," complicates the relief situation.

Adams was not available to pitch in Friday's 5-4 loss and he was again sidelined Saturday. It could be until at least Tuesday when he pitches next. The righthander downplayed the ailment, but he said the same thing about a back strain that cost him 15 days on the disabled list last month.

"We need him. We have to have him," Charlie Manuel said. "He has to be able to bounce back and pitch three or four in a row for us. Right now, we definitely don't have that."

The manager expressed concern for Adams. The 34-year-old pitcher had surgery this past winter to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, which caused pain in his shoulder. He underwent rotator cuff surgery in 2008. A biceps injury could portend yet another shoulder problem.

Adams said he needed a few days to calm the pain. He said he pitched for a week with the injury. He did not believe it was related to the most recent surgery.

"It just seems like I get rid of one thing and something else pops up," Adams said. "It's not a big deal. It's just an irritation."

Adams' average fastball velocity, according to PITCHf/x data, is 89.8 m.p.h. in 2013. Two years ago, he threw at an average of 92.7 m.p.h. His ERA is 3.92 in 23 games.

The Phillies' 4.39 bullpen ERA ranked 27th in the majors entering Saturday. The unit was a perceived strength when spring training started.

"I've been surprised because I thought some of our pitchers would be further along," Manuel said. "That doesn't mean they can't pitch. They need more experience and work."

John Lannan (strained left knee) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday at double-A Reading. . . . Ben Revere sat for the third straight game as Manuel played the hot-hitting John Mayberry Jr. in center.