Friday, February 25, 2011
Posted: 5:19 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.A Sports Illustrated report Friday mentioned that the Phillies had inquired about Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Morse.
This is not surprising. The Phils have had a longstanding interest in Morse. In fact, they inquired about Morses availability in December. According to sources, the Nationals asked for Domonic Brown in return and the talks never materialized.
The Phillies kept an eye on Morses potential availability all winter, but came away with the impression that the Nationals did not want to do business with a division rival.
Morse, a right-handed hitter who turns 29 in March, hit .289 with 15 homers and 41 RBIs in 98 games with the Nationals last season. The addition of rightfielder Jayson Werth in the offseason will push Morse into a backup role, and that could make him available in the right deal. Morse can also play first base.
Morse is a rangy, athletic player with the look of a late bloomer. In fact, he has often been compared to what Werth was before he developed into an all-star player with the Phillies.
MLB
With Werth, their former No. 5 hitter, gone, the Phillies have been keeping their eye out for right-handed hitting outfielders, just in case the tandem of Brown and Ben Francisco cant hold down Werths former spot in rightfield. If Francisco and Brown fail, the Phils will likely become more aggressive in pursuing a right-handed bat for rightfeld. But for now, the Phils want to see what Francisco and Brown can do. Both players will start in Saturdays Grapefruit League opener against the Yankees in Tampa.
Utleys status
Chase Utley will not play against the Yankees on Saturday. According to manager Charlie Manuel, Utley is dealing with some soreness in his legs. Manuel insists that the soreness is a normal byproduct of early spring workouts and that Utley is not hurt. Manuel said Utley will play during the coming week.Utley good-naturedly dodged questions about his condition on Saturday morning, saying: "If there's cause for concernyou'll be the first to know."
Lineup
Here is the lineup for Saturdays game against the Yankees:
Pete Orr, 2B
Ross Gload, DH
Raul Ibanez, LF
Ryan Howard, 1B
Ben Francisco, CF
Domonic Brown, RF
Jeff Larish, 3B
Brian Schneider, C
Wilson Valdez, SS
Cole Hamels, PJimmy Rollins, who missed workouts on Thursday and Friday while attending a White House function, was scratched from the lineup. Manuel wanted Rollins tostay back in Clearwater for a workout. He will likely be in the lineup Sunday in Clearwater.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com