Phillies Notebook: Domonic Brown could wind up in rightfield

CHARLIE MANUEL didn't have to answer the question last week because his regular leftfielder was on the disabled list.

But with Domonic Brown likely due back on Wednesday and a Phillies lineup that includes rookies Cody Asche and Darin Ruf getting regular playing time with veteran Michael Young in the mix, too, someone is going to have to move to the bench or switch positions.

A month ago Manuel sounded reluctant to move Brown from leftfield to right. But would he consider it now?

"I would consider anything," Manuel said with a laugh yesterday afternoon.

The Phils are 2-13 since the All-Star break, so Manuel isn't exactly reluctant to change anymore. Since Young wasn't traded before last week's deadline and the team wants to see both Asche and Ruf, the only real solution is to shift Brown back to rightfield, where he played for the final 2 months of the 2012 season (and twice in April).

Brown is down with a move, but hasn't been told anything about a potential shift.

"It really doesn't matter [to me where I play]," Brown said.

If Brown saw time in right to make room for Ruf in left - and Michael Young at first, with Asche at third - Delmon Young would be the odd man out of the regular lineup. Delmon Young, like Michael Young, isn't under contract beyond this season and entered yesterday with a .408 slugging percentage, which ranked 47th among major league outfielders with at least 250 plate appearances.

Ruf, meanwhile, warrants a longer look in the big leagues.

After a monster year in the minor leagues last year - he hit .317 with 38 home runs at Double A Reading - Ruf hit .333 with three home runs in 12 games as a September call-up. He began the 2013 season at Triple A to become accustomed to leftfield and was only recalled a month ago to play first base when Ryan Howard was sent to the disabled list with a knee injury.

With two hits last night, Ruf has reached base safely in 32 straight games, which began last September; it's the longest active streak in the major leagues. He was hitting .288 with a .409 on-base percentage, three home runs and six doubles in 22 games.

"I love his swing," Manuel said. "I like the way the ball jumps off his bat. His home run the other night was on the inside of the plate and he hit it nice and easy. Nice and easy. The power is there."

Manuel also said he's witnessed improvement in Ruf's play in the outfield. But the most telling thing the usually win-now manager said was that it was time for guys like Ruf and Asche to play.

"I think it's important that we play our young players and emphasize to them the importance of winning the game, that's what I think," Manuel said.

Domonic Brown is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Low A Lakewood today and then play for Double A Reading tomorrow before rejoining the Phillies.

Brown hasn't played since experiencing concussion symptoms after diving for a ball in St. Louis on July 23. Brown has been symptom-free for a week; he began taking regular batting practice on Friday.

"I've just been watching the hitters, both teams, watching their balance," Brown said of making good use of his free time. "And when I get bored with that, I'm watching pitchers, seeing what they're doing."

Since Brown suffered a concussion in the minor leagues, the Phils gave him some advice to use as a preventive measure, including limiting cell-phone usage.

"That's definitely the biggest thing - staying away from the phone, texting, that type of stuff," Brown said. "It's the focusing. That triggers a lot. I try to turn my phone off after I talk to the family, avoid the computer, that type of stuff."

Kyle Kendrick (9-8, 4.29 ERA) will pitch opposite Edwin Jackson (7-11, 4.65) when the Phillies open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs tomorrow night . . . Lefthanders Cole Hamels (4-13, 3.87) and Travis Wood (7-8, 3.05) will square off Wednesday, with righthanders Ethan Martin (0-1, 12.46) and Jeff Samardzija (6-10, 3.78) scheduled to pitch on Thursday. The Phillies are off today.

Blog: ph.ly/HighCheese