Phillies Notes: Utley won't play in Phillies' Grapefruit League opener

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Two days after starting five non-roster spring training invitees in an exhibition against the University of Tampa, the Phillies will open their Grapefruit League slate with a lineup that is expected to feature more regulars.

But second baseman Chase Utley won't be among those taking the field for Tuesday afternoon's game against the New York Yankees, manager Ryne Sandberg said Sunday. Utley, who in January sprained his right ankle while fielding ground balls, is "just getting in the flow of things a little bit as far as being on the field so much," Sandberg said.

Utley, 36, is participating in workouts but has used caution early in camp because of his ankle. The Phillies will "ease him into games a little bit down the road," Sandberg said.

The Phillies' second-year manager had yet to pencil in his lineup card as of Sunday afternoon, so it was not known whether first baseman Ryan Howard would make his spring debut on Tuesday.

Righthander Jerome Williams is slated to start, with David Buchanan, Joely Rodriguez, Jeanmar Gomez and Mario Hollands pitching in relief.

Righthander Ethan Martin pitched a bullpen session Sunday, his first since the Phillies staff began working with him to shorten his delivery to the plate.

Martin said his arm path has always been long, but for whatever reason in the last year it became more so than usual. It showed when he faced hitters in live batting practice on Friday. He will continue to work in bullpen sessions to gain comfortability with the mechanical tweak.

Likely to begin the season in triple A, Martin, 25, is back to starting after spending last season as a reliever. He will pitch after starter Aaron Harang in Wednesday's game against the Yankees in Tampa.

Cliff Lee will throw a bullpen session Monday ahead of his start Thursday against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. . . . Former Phillies centerfielder Aaron Rowand arrived at Bright House Field early Sunday and will serve as a guest spring training instructor this week. . . . Phillies players will attend a mandatory education program Monday regarding domestic violence. Each major-league team is holding the sessions during spring training under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' association.

- Jake Kaplan