NEW YORKThe Phillies have set their rotation for next weeks series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Roy Halladay will start the first game of the series on Monday night. Cliff Lee will pitch Tuesday night. Vance Worley will pitch Wednesdays series finale.
Though the Phillies have not announced their rotation beyond that, Thursdays off day will allow them to shuffle the rotation so they would be able to use Cole Hamels and either Halladay or Lee in two of their three games against the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants, who visit Citizens Bank Park on July 26-28.
Neither Halladay nor Lee will pitch in this weekends series against the Mets. Both saw action in Tuesdays All-Star Game. Halladay pitched two innings (19 pitches) and Lee 1 23 innings (25 pitches) in the NLs 5-1 win.
Phils manager Charlie Manuel was not upset about the way two of his aces were used by San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who skippered the NL team. Manuel said there was a chance Halladay would not have pitched until Monday anyway. Any chance that Lee had of pitching Sundayand that was no sure thingended when he stayed in the game for a second inning.
It might not have made a difference, Manuel said. We might not have pitched Lee on Sunday anyway.
They didnt get over-used. Nineteen and 25 pitches is not over-use. Bochy earned the right to manage the game. He didnt do anything bad. He tried to win the game.
MLB
Phils pitching coach Rich Dubee seemed a little agitated that two of his horses were used for more than an inning. Halladay leads the NL with 143 13 innings pitched. Lee is second at 137 13.
Dubee was askedwhether he believedeither pitcher was overly taxed in the game.
That's not for me to say," Dubee said. "Ive got my opinions.
Asked what they were, Dubee said, Im not going to tell you.
Dubee added, Bruce did what he thought he had to do to win the ballgame. They won the game. If we get to the World Series, well be thanking them.
With its All-Star win, the NL earned home-field advantage in the World Series.
Madson returns
Closer Ryan Madson was activated from the disabled list. He had been out with swelling in his right hand, the result of taking a batted ball off his palm. Dubee watched Madson pitch an inning of minor-league rehab in Florida over the All-Star break and was impressed.
The Phils are likely to ease Madson back into the closer role, using him in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning a time or two before giving him the ball in the ninth again. Madson will eventually return to the role. In the meantime, Antonio Bastardo will continue to close.
Polanco to DL
Third baseman Placido Polanco went on the disabled list with inflammation in his lower back. The assignment was backdated to July 5. He will be eligible to return Wednesday in Chicago.
Polanco said he was progressing and would not need injections to calm down pain from a bulging disc. Pitcher Roy Oswalt recently had a series of injections to remedy a bulging disc in his lower back. He is feeling better and hopes to throw a bullpen session next week in Chicago.
Related: Journey for Phillies prospect Savery full of twistsLidge struggles in rehab stint for Double A Reading