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Stutes has shoulder stiffness

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mike Stutes has been scratched from his scheduled appearance Friday because of right shoulder stiffness, further complicating an already muddled bullpen picture for the Phillies one week before the 2012 season starts.

Reliever Mike Stutes was scratched from Friday's scheduled appearance because of shoulder stiffness. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Reliever Mike Stutes was scratched from Friday's scheduled appearance because of shoulder stiffness. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mike Stutes has been scratched from his scheduled appearance Friday because of right shoulder stiffness, further complicating an already muddled bullpen picture for the Phillies one week before the 2012 season starts.

Stutes, who had been considered a lock for a bullpen spot even with a shaky spring, said he's been dealing with the soreness for at least a week. Originally, he thought it was normal spring training tightness, but it persisted.

"I finally had to say something," Stutes said.

Stutes was scheduled to start Friday's game in Tampa, Fla., against the Yankees in a bullpen game for the Phillies. Instead, Antonio Bastardo will start.

Bastardo is not without his own concerns. Pitching coach Rich Dubee admitted Bastardo's fastball has not reached its typical velocity late in spring. The lefthander had complained of left forearm stiffness, which the Phillies diagnosed as a byproduct of dehydration. Still, he has yet to overcome those issues, raising further questions. Earlier in the week, Dubee maintained there is nothing structurally wrong with Bastardo's arm.

Stutes has allowed six runs on 13 hits in 9 1/3 innings this spring for a 5.79 ERA. He's been scored upon in each of his three most recent outings during the previous six days. As a 24-year-old rookie, Stutes was a revelation in 2011. He pitched in 62 innings, many of them important situations, and posted a 3.63 ERA.

Stutes expects to pitch before the Phillies leave Florida on Sunday, but the Phillies' plans for him are unknown.

"I'd be surprised if I didn't throw in a game before we left here," he said.

If Stutes or Bastardo are not ready to begin the season on time, it could open a spot for Joe Savery and Raul Valdes, two lefties who remain in camp. Righthander David Herndon is also on the roster bubble depending on the status of Jose Contreras, who could also open the season on the disabled list as he builds arm strength from elbow surgery.

Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @magelb.