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Healthy Gonzalez is impressing

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Moments after catching his first batting-practice session of the spring, Carlos Ruiz huddled with his pitcher by the third-base line for a chat.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, right, throws during a spring training baseball workout, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Clearwater, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, right, throws during a spring training baseball workout, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Clearwater, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Moments after catching his first batting-practice session of the spring, Carlos Ruiz huddled with his pitcher by the third-base line for a chat.

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez had just pitched to Ben Revere, Freddy Galvis, and nonroster invitee Xavier Paul, capping a session that elicited positive reviews early in the Cuban righthander's second big-league spring training. The Phillies' veteran catcher noted a considerable difference in fastball velocity from last spring.

Gonzalez, who last March battled shoulder soreness and struggled to transition to the major leagues, is set to compete for a spot in the back end of the starting rotation. Last summer, he proved effective as a reliever in the minors, but a bullpen role is not what the Phillies had in mind when they gave him the most lucrative international deal in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gonzalez will make $2.5 million this season, the second in the three-year, $12 million contract he signed in August 2013. That deal was consummated after the original six-year contract reportedly worth $48 million fell through over health concerns.

Gonzalez's first taste of the major leagues last season amounted to 51/3 innings in six games, giving up nine hits and four runs with a 6.75 ERA and an 0-1 record. A triple A, he surrendered three earned runs in 161/3 innings.

"I feel good about this year for him," said Ruiz, who also caught Gonzalez's bullpen session early in Tuesday's first full-squad workout. "He's already pitched in the big leagues, and now he's got the experience. . . . If he stays healthy, for sure he's going to help us."

Health was a big issue for Gonzalez early last season. It's the reason expectations are diminished compared with a year ago at this time.

Grapefruit League games will serve as a test. Early in camp, second-year righthander David Buchanan is Gonzalez's biggest competition for the fifth spot in the rotation behind Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Aaron Harang, and Jerome Williams. That doesn't account for Chad Billingsley, who is on a decelerated schedule after elbow surgeries in each of the last two years but could be ready in mid-April or early May.

"I see a ball that's coming out of his hand much better than it was last year," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said of Gonzalez. "He was a little nicked up last year, so we can understand that. He's healthier. He knows what's expected in big-league spring training. He knows there are spots open, so he's fighting for a job. I'm seeing a lot of positive things."

The Phillies hope Gonzalez provides depth in a rotation headlined by two all-stars who could be pitching for other teams come Aug. 1. If Gonzalez doesn't earn a spot in the rotation, the team would likely use him out of the bullpen rather than relegate him to the minors as a starter.

McClure is focusing on Gonzalez's command of his fastball. His velocity as a starter is said to hover between 90 and 94 m.p.h.; the Phillies saw him register 97 m.p.h. as a reliever.

During batting practice Tuesday, Gonzalez mixed in his curveball and change-up. "The ball's coming out of his hand very well," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Gonzalez's pitching more closely resembled his performance at the end of last season than at the beginning, Amaro noted.

"We signed him to be a starter. I think he feels more comfortable in that role, but we'll make the adjustments accordingly," Amaro said. "It's not out of the realm of possibility he could throw in the bullpen, but we view him as a starter as well."

@jakemkaplan