Phillies Notes | Garcia pays team a surprise visit

MIAMI - The Phillies' clubhouse at Dolphin Stadium received a jolt of life just after 4 p.m. yesterday when

Freddy Garcia

unexpectedly walked through the door.

"Hey, we've got a new teammate!" centerfielder Shane Victorino said.

Not yet. Garcia, who is on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis, threw 51 pitches in 31/3 shutout innings in a rehabilitation start Thursday for single-A Clearwater. He allowed three hits and a walk, and struck out seven. He also reached 91 m.p.h. with his fastball.

Garcia is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and 65 to 70 pitches Tuesday in another rehab start for Clearwater. He could return to the Phillies' rotation by April 15.

"He looked good," said pitching coach Rich Dubee, who watched tape of Garcia's start. "We'll see how he goes on the 10th."

Righthander Jon Lieber made a rehab appearance last night for Clearwater and allowed four hits and an earned run in 32/3 innings. He struck out four.

Dubee said there was a chance that Lieber, who is on the DL with a strained right abdominal muscle, could return to the team Monday in New York. Whenever he returns, he will join the bullpen.

Righthander Francisco Rosario, acquired for $100,000 in a trade Thursday with Toronto, will join the team by Monday, the Phillies said. Rosario underwent a physical yesterday.

The Phillies added inventory to their relief corps yesterday when they signed free-agent righthander

Rick Bauer

to a minor-league contract, pending a physical. Bauer, 30, went 3-1 with two saves and a 3.55 earned run average in 58 games for Texas last season, but the Rangers released him March 28.

He had a bad spring. He went 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA in five appearances. In 61/3 innings, he allowed 19 hits, 15 runs (11 earned), 4 home runs, and 4 walks. He hit two batters and struck out four.

General manager

Pat Gillick

said the Phillies might take another look at righthander

Dustin Hermanson

, who was released Sunday by Cincinnati. The Phils saw Hermanson in the off-season but weren't impressed. He had a 7.36 ERA in eight appearances this spring for the Reds. He started well, but struggled late in the spring.

Hermanson missed much of last season because of back problems.

Manager

Charlie Manuel

kept

Ryan Howard

in the cleanup spot after having him bat third in the first and second games. . . . The Phillies hired

Tom Romenesko

from Houston as a pro scout.