Thursday, March 24, 2011
Posted: 6 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.With a week to go before opening day, Phillies officials continue to gather the information that will help them make their final roster decisions.
Some of those decisions came into focus on Thursday, while others are still up in the air.
Early Thursday, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said it was likely that second baseman Chase Utley patellar tendinitis in his right knee would begin the season on the disabled list.
Utley hasnt played all spring and doesnt expect to any time soon. That decision is kind of a no-brainer.
Later in the day, manager Charlie Manuel may have tipped his hand on who may be leading the race to win the starting rightfield job. Ben Francisco may be that guy.
MLB
The big test is when we give Benny a chance to play in big-league games and let him go a while and see what he can do, Manuel said. That is the test. Down here is getting him ready.
Interesting comment.
Franciscso went hitless in one at-bat in Thursdays 7-3 loss to Minnesota. He is hitting .358 on the spring. John Mayberry Jr. and Ross Gload, who had a pair of hits Thursday, could also see some time in rightfield, but Francisco may get the first look once the season starts.
As for Manuels batting order? Thats still up in the air. Manuel has commented several times in the last week or so that the Phils are down two bats Utley and Jayson Werth from last year and someone must step up.
A number of other players are being evaluated in this final week of camp:
Recently signed Luis Castillo, who is getting a week to win the second base job, made his second straight start Thursday. He had four assists.
He played good defense, Manuel said. Of course, he didnt get any hits.
Castillo was 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts. He is 0 for 8 in two games. Phillies officials will continue to bear down on him in the coming days. If Castillo makes the club, Wilson Valdez would likely be used in a super-utility role. That would leave one spot open for Michael Martinez, Pete Orr, Delwyn Young or Josh Barfield.
Though Brad Lidges spot on the roster is assured, the team is still evaluating the closers readiness for the regular season. Lidge pitched in his first Grapefruit League game since March 11 on Thursday. He had been out with biceps tendinitis.
Lidge did not have a good outing. He got two quick strikeouts to open the ninth inning then was touched for a solo homer, a single and two walks to load the bases. Lidge was then removed from the game after reaching 26 pitches. Mike Zagurski came on for the final out of the inning, a strikeout.
Lidge was not available to reporters after the game. He will likely pitch every other day until the season opens. Phils officials would like to see some consistency from their closer before the games start to count. Lidge is expected to be healthy enough to open the season, but you never know.
If hes not ready to go out there hell let us know by the way he pitches, Manuel said.
So you can add Lidges name to the list of players under evaluation this final week.
Cole Hamels is not under evaluation. He will start the fourth game of the season. Between now and then he will have one more exhibition start and he knows he has work to do.
Hamels struck out seven and walked none in 6 23 innings Thursday. Clearly hes got some things going right. But Hamels commandcontrol within controlis still a work in progress. He was hit hard at times, allowing a pair of homers and a pair of doubles.
Physically I feel strong, Hamels said. My stuff is good. But its all about repeating and throwing a good pitch nine out of 10 times. Its time to get locked in.
Funny story
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, club president David Montgomery, and director of pro scouting Mike Ondo missed the first five innings of Wednesdays game in Port Charlotte.
Now we know why.
Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock was drivingand he ran out of gas.
I was in a hurry to get there and didnt look at the gas gauge, Proefrock said. I was going 75 in the left-hand lane, passing people, and all of a sudden we just stopped.
AAA rescued the Phils brain trust and they made it to the game.
Polanco returning
The Phils host Atlanta on Friday. Joe Blanton starts against Rodrigo Lopez. Third baseman Placido Polanco, recovering from a hyperextended left elbow, will be in the lineup and get two at-bats, Manuel said.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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