Phillies moving Oberholtzer to bullpen

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brett Oberholtzer is out of minor-league options, so his spot on the roster was all but guaranteed when the Phillies traded for him last December. He has made more than 40 starts in the majors, which makes him one of the more experienced arms in camp.

For now, he'll pitch as a reliever.

Oberholtzer, 26, was one of three candidates to be the Phillies' fifth starter. He is scheduled to pitch on back-to-back days this week, which signals his transition to the bullpen. It was not for a lack of performance this spring; Oberholtzer has tossed eight scoreless innings with a walk and two strikeouts.

But the Phillies have depth, and they will pick either Vince Velasquez or Adam Morgan to be the fifth starter. The loser of that competition will go to triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Oberholtzer could still end up in the rotation at some point. The Phillies will need more than five starters to survive the season. The Delaware native has a career 3.94 ERA in the majors, with 42 of his 45 games as starts.

Jeremy Hellickson pitched five hitless innings Sunday in a 5-4 win against Houston, although he walked three batters. It was his first Grapefruit League game since March 4. Nevertheless, Hellickson is the favorite to start opening day for the Phillies.

Manager Pete Mackanin said there could soon be an announcement about how his rotation will align.

"The first dream is to make it, the other one is to be the opening-day starter," Hellickson said. "Either way it doesn't matter, but it would be an honor."

Two lefties vying for bullpen jobs, Daniel Stumpf and Bobby LaFromboise, tossed scoreless innings. The day was not as fruitful for Hector Neris, who allowed four runs on two walks and a home run.

Cesar Hernandez, batting at the top of the lineup, doubled and homered. He is hitting .390 (16 for 41) this spring.

Odubel Herrera, who has not played since March 12 with a bruised left finger, is scheduled to resume hitting on Tuesday. Mackanin said the injury is not serious. The team is applying extreme caution to its best outfielder.

"We know he'll be a big part of our offense," Mackanin said, "so we're not going to push it."

Aaron Nola will make his fourth spring start Monday against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. . . . Lefthander Mario Hollands is scheduled to face live batters next week for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. . . . Two dozen former Phillies players and coaches were honored Sunday in a pregame ceremony at Bright House Field. Darren Daulton, Dick Allen, Dave Cash, and Ron Clark were among those in attendance.