Phillies Notes: Lee will be out until after all-star break

MILWAUKEE - The latest sign this summer is luckless for the Phillies came Sunday evening when Cliff Lee planned to throw about 70 pitches for single-A Clearwater at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. A Florida thunderstorm suspended the game in the third inning; Lee was limited to 24 pitches in two innings.

The Phillies offered Lee the option of finishing his outing in an indoor batting cage. Lee declined. The 35-year-old pitcher wants to test his strained left elbow against hitters.

The rain sealed this: Lee will not return until after the all-star break. His first start could come July 19 in Atlanta. He will make two more rehab starts, the next one Wednesday at Clearwater. That should allow for three major-league outings before the July 31 trade deadline.

Lee, whose last start was May 18, threw two scoreless innings Sunday with one hit and two strikeouts. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lee's fastball was clocked between 89 and 91 m.p.h. - a typical range for Lee.

"He threw well," Amaro said. "We liked what we saw of his two innings."

Catcher Carlos Ruiz underwent another IMPACT test for his concussion and showed progress, Amaro said. Ruiz will be tested again Wednesday. He could begin some baseball activities by the weekend.

He also will not return until after the break.

"It could be mid-July, but I can't gauge how many at-bats he will need," Amaro said. "We're just trying to get him through this."

Ruiz missed 20 games in 2010 with a concussion.

Outfielder Grady Sizemore hit safely in seven of his first eight games at triple-A Lehigh Valley. He must be added to the Phillies' roster by July 17 or he can request his release.

Amaro said the team is almost certain to add Sizemore before that date. Why the wait?

"He's playing pretty good, moving pretty well," Amaro said. "We have some time to make the decision on him, but everything so far has been positive."

Andres Blanco started at shortstop and batted second for the Phillies Monday against Milwaukee. It was his first major-league start since Sept. 25, 2011. . . . Aaron Nola, the No. 7 overall pick the draft last month, finished that suspended Lee start for Clearwater. He fired five scoreless innings with one hit, five strikeouts and zero walks.