Phillies Notes: Despite allowing HR, Gonzalez impresses Sandberg

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez allowed two runs in two innings Thursday, a nondescript spring debut for the highest-ticketed international free agent in Phillies history.

"My plan that I had all along was to show my work ethic today," the righthander said through a translator. "I don't look at the numbers."

Manager Ryne Sandberg said Gonzalez had his "best stuff since he's come over here."

Gonzalez, 28, pitched the third and fourth innings of a 6-3 loss to the Houston Astros. He gave up a home run in the fourth and averted trouble in the third thanks to a crafty inning-ending play by third baseman Cody Asche.

"It looks like he's healthy. Looks like he has some zip on his fastball," Sandberg said. "That can get better as he goes here. Compared to last year, night and day."

The Phillies signed Gonzalez in August 2013 to a three-year contract worth $12 million. The Cuban struggled last spring and opened the season on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.

"I'm feeling good finally physically and everything is falling into the place as it always should have," Gonzalez said.

Elvis Araujo is looking worthy of the major-league contract the Phillies signed him to in November. The 6-foot-6 lefthander struck out two batters in a perfect sixth inning. He struck out all three batters he faced in Sunday's exhibition loss to the University of Tampa. Araujo has never pitched above double A.

The Phillies added minor-league righthanders Mike Nesseth and Seth Rosin to major-league spring training as nonroster invitees. . . . Jeff Francoeur started his first game. He batted fourth, played right field, and finished 1 for 4.