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Harang's Phillies debut delayed

Aaron Harang was scheduled to pitch against the Yankees today, but doesn't seem quite physically ready yet.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Harang works in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Atlanta, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Harang works in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Atlanta, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Aaron Harang will not make his Phillies debut today in Tampa, as previously scheduled.

The 36-year-old veteran righthander was evasive when asked why his name was no longer listed among the pitchers in line to face the Yankees this afternoon. Harang said that it was "just maintenance stuff" and that he was "fine-tuning" mechanics.

Kevin Slowey, a non-roster player on a minor league contract in camp, will start in Harang's place in the Phillies' second game of the Grapefruit League schedule.

Although Harang gave the impression he was healthy, pitching coach Bob McClure opened the door that maybe everything isn't A-OK with the oldest starting pitcher in the rotation.

"We're just making sure everything is OK from a health standpoint," McClure said. "Guys have twinges here and there - let's make sure."

Harang said he would "probably" make his next turn in the rotation, which would come Monday in Sarasota against the Baltimore Orioles. He will throw a bullpen session at some point in the next few days before then, which could alter that plan.

"It's just kind of making sure everything's right and kind of working on stuff with release points and stuff like that," Harang said yesterday morning.

Harang, who turns 37 in May, signed a 1-year, $5 million contract as a free agent in early January. He went 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA in 33 starts with the Atlanta Braves last season.

Changeup

The pageantry of the opening of the Grapefruit League schedule at Bright House Field yesterday included the introduction of a who's who of the Phillies' front office, an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic, and an introduction of both lineups.

Except when director of public affairs and ballpark emcee Scott Palmer got to the bottom of the lineup, he said that catcher Cameron Rupp was warming up starting pitcher Jerome Williams in the bullpen. And then David Buchanan took the mound instead.

So, when was the pitching schedule finalized?

"This morning at breakfast," said Buchanan, who gave up a run on five hits in two innings against the Yankees. "I was eating some oatmeal and [bullpen coach Rod Nichols] came up to me and said, 'Hey, you're throwing first today.' I was like, 'All right.' "

Palmer surely wasn't at fault. Everyone outside of the coaching office had Williams penciled into their lineup cards. On Friday, Bob McClure said that Williams and Harang would start the first two games, respectively.

Apparently that schedule was a very rough draft. Or something. Williams came on in relief of Buchanan, allowing one hit while striking out one in two innings.

"That was the way it was going to be all the way," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "There was no switch there or anything. They were going to go 1-2, and that's how it was going to go originally, yeah."

Right.

Phillers

Reliever Mario Hollands had an auspicious spring debut. The lefthanded reliever entered with a 5-1 lead in the ninth inning and moved one out away from finishing up the victory before allowing four consecutive hits, including a three-run, game-tying home run to Yankees prospect Aaron Judge, before being replaced by Luis Garcia. The game ended after nine innings in a 5-5 tie . . . Bullpen highlights: Joely Rodriguez (the lefty acquired in the Antonio Bastardo trade) threw two hitless innings, striking out one and walking one. Jeanmar Gomez (who had a 3.19 ERA in 44 games out of Pittsburgh's 'pen last year) also struck out one and walked one in two shutout innings . . . Hitting highlights: Domonic Brown and Cesar Hernandez each had one hit (singles for each) and one stolen base. Freddy Galvis, batting second between Ben Revere and Grady Sizemore, went 1-for-3 with a run scored . . . Ryan Howard (designated hitter), Galvis, Brown and Sizemore are all in the starting lineup again today in Tampa against the Yankees. Darin Ruf is starting at first base.

Blog: ph.ly/HighCheese