Phillies notebook: Jerome Williams, Aaron Harang could do rehab assignments after All-Star break.

ATLANTA - Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he thinks injured righthanders Jerome Williams (hamstring) and Aaron Harang (plantar fasciitis) could go on rehab assignments just after the All-Star break and might pitch again in the majors before the July 31 trade deadline. Harang is still able to throw, Amaro said, so his comeback could require less pitching rehab.

Amaro said veteran starter Chad Billingsley's struggles are predictable as the righthander figures out how to get big-league hitters out with altered weapons. Billingsley was hammered by Milwaukee last Thursday after returning from the disabled list. He had made three earlier starters in May after missing much of the last two seasons with two arm surgeries. He starts tomorrow night in Los Angeles, where he was a pillar of the Dodgers' staff from 2006-12.

Chase Utley's right ankle has improved to the point where he might start hitting within a week, Amaro said.

Movin' on up

In an effort to avoid penalties for overspending on international players, the Phillies yesterday acquired the top signing slot in the international signing bonus pool from the Diamondbacks.

The Phillies' No. 9 slot allotted about $1.35 million; the D-backs' is almost $3.6 million. The move made more money available to sign 6-2, 260-pound, 16-year-old Dominican slugger Jhailyn Ortiz, who reportedly agreed to a $4.2 million bonus. The Phillies sent to Arizona their No. 9 slot as well as Class A Lakewood pitchers Chris Oliver, a righthander taken in the fourth round in 2014, and lefthander Josh Taylor, an undrafted free agent last year.

Amaro said the deal was in the works before the Phillies added Andy MacPhail last week. MacPhail is acting as a special adviser and will succeed president Pat Gillick in October. Amaro said MacPhail was consulted on the move.

Phillers

Dodgers righthander Carlos Frias, scheduled to start tonight against the Phillies, went on the disabled list (back). He will be replaced by righthander Juan Nicasio (1-2, 2.18). LA called up reliever Daniel Coulombe to replace Frias on the roster. Righthander Sean O'Sullivan (1-6, 5.76) will start for the Phillies.

-Marcus Hayes