Phillies Notes: Byrd not thinking about getting traded

PITTSBURGH - Phillies rightfielder Marlon Byrd was dealt Aug. 27 last year by the New York Mets to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he could be part of another deal this summer.

Byrd is among the rumored players on the block by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He is batting .264 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs after his solo blast in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park.

Byrd said he wasn't thinking about getting traded this time around.

"You think about it a little bit the first time you go through it, but the second time now, you keep playing and are trying to win games for the Phillies," he said.

Byrd understands anything is possible.

"You stay, that's a good thing," Byrd said. "You go somewhere else, hopefully, this organization gets a great piece and you make it a better [team] than before you were here."

Before the game, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies would continue to assess the situation in regard to trades.

"You know Ruben is going to do the right thing," Byrd said. "You just don't know what that is."

First baseman-outfielder Darin Ruf, recovering from a fractured left wrist he suffered while playing at triple-A Lehigh Valley, will soon take his next step in his rehabilitation, Amaro said.

Ruf, who was injured June 2, has been rehabbing with the Phillies Gulf Coast League team since Monday. He is hitting .130 in 23 at-bats.

"Ruffie is probably going to start at Lehigh Valley either [Sunday] or the next day," Amaro said. "He is making good progress in the GCL."

A healthy Ruf could offer an alternative to struggling leftfielder Domonic Brown.

Amaro said that Carlos Ruiz (concussion) showed improvement Friday.

"He is still a ways off though," the GM cautioned.

There is no timetable, Amaro said, but the team should have a better idea after Ruiz goes through Impact testing Monday.

Wil Nieves (strained right quadriceps) on Saturday played his fourth rehab game in the Gulf Coast League, his second as a catcher.

"He is making some progress too, although it is a little slower than we hoped," Amaro said. We will see what the next couple of days bring for him with his leg."

Lefthander Cliff Lee, who has not pitched since May 18 because of an elbow injury, will make his first rehab start Sunday for high-A Clearwater. Amaro said Lee would throw about 60 pitches.

Lee will then be scheduled to throw July 11, Amaro said, but it's not sure where that rehab start will be.

Righthander Jeff Manship, on the DL since June 1 with a right quadriceps strain, threw one hitless inning in a rehab start Saturday for the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Amaro said Manship is scheduled to throw one or two innings again Monday.

"He only threw nine pitches but felt fine and was throwing 92-93 [m.p.h.]," the GM said.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis and catcher Tommy Joseph could be back playing games within a week, Amaro said. Galvis is out with a broken clavicle and Joseph has a wrist injury.