Monday, February 21, 2011
Posted: 2:03 p.m.
By Jim SalisburyCSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.The Phillies have set their pitching rotation for the first week of exhibition play.
If it holds form, Roy Halladay would start the regular-season opener April 1 followed by Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton.
The Phils play their first spring exhibition game Thursday against Florida State University. Minor-league prospect Drew Naylor will start that game.
After an off day Friday, the Phillies travel to Tampa to face the New York Yankees in the official Grapefruit League opener on Saturday. Hamels will get that start. Vance Worley will follow Hamels in that game. The Phils will also play a B game against Toronto on Saturday. Non-roster invitee Brian Bass will start that game followed by lefthander Dan Meyer.
Hamels has thrown the ball brilliantly in early workouts. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has remarked that the lefthander looks as if he could take the mound in a big-league game right now and win. Dubee has also said that, a week into camp, Hamels is throwing harder than he did at any point last spring. Over the last two winters, Hamels has dedicated himself to an offseason strength and conditioning program that includes throwing - and it shows.The Yankees have not yet announced a starter for Saturday's game against the Phils.
Blanton will start Sunday at home against the Yankees. Highly touted relief prospect Justin De Fratus will also work in that game.
MLB
Halladay, the 2010 National League Cy Young winner, will make his first spring start on Monday Feb. 28 against his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, in Dunedin. Lee will start Tuesday March 1 against Detroit in Clearwater. Kyle Kendrick will also pitch in that game.
The Phils have not officially announced their rotation beyond that day but Oswalt is expected to start on March 2 against Baltimore in Clearwater.
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E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com