The Latest
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David Buchanan ready to step into Cliff Lee's spot
CLEARWATER, Fla — As Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. declared in announcing the decision to place Cliff Lee on the 60-day disabled list, “Somebody is going to have to pitch for us.” It appears likely that one of those guys will be “somebody” named David Buchanan. “We all have to step up,” Buchanan said Tuesday after he struck out…
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Phillies Notes: Williams, Herrera, Araujo and Lee
CLEARWATER, Fla — Another spring day, another Phillies’ starter scratched. Not to worry, insisted veteran Jerome Williams, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday and replaced by David Buchanan because he had tweaked his right hamstring. “It’s not serious, not serious at all,” declared Williams, who said he will definitely make his next start on Sunday in Fort…
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Orioles 16, Philllies 4: Scouts watch O's hammer Cole Hamels
BOX SCORE CLEARWATER, Fla. — With dozens of scouts in the Bright House Field stands in anticipation of a trade that may never happen, along with a sellout crowd of 8,407, Cole Hamels was hammered for five runs in two innings Monday as the Baltimore Orioles, the weakest-hitting team in the American League this spring, pulverized the Phillies, 16-4. “It…
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Phillies place Cliff Lee on 60-day disabled list
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Confronted with the choice between surgery, which would have knocked Cliff Lee out for the entire 2015 season, or yet another attempt at rehabilitation — which has failed twice in the past — the Phillies placed Lee on the 60-day disabled list Monday and plan to send him home from spring training. “It’s a big blow to…
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Aaron Harang not worried about back, will pitch Thursday
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Aaron Harang acted like a guy who didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. “We were just being precautious,” said the veteran 36-year-old right-hander, making up a new word after completing a bullpen session at Bright House Field Monday and declaring himself ready to resume his role as a member of the Phillies‘ starting rotation Thursday…
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Left-hander Joely Rodriguez continues to impress
CLEARWATER, Fla — Phillies left-hander Joely Rodriguez was throwing in a bullpen in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, last December when his cell phone rang. “You’ve just been traded to the Phillies,” the caller told him. As happy as that thought made him feel, Rodriguez didn’t believe it was true until he received a second call while driving home, confirming...
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Ryan Howard settling in, takes a changeup deep
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Asked about Ryan Howard’s fourth-inning homer that accounted for the Phillies’ only two runs in their 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, manager Ryne Sandberg said, “You know what? He’s looked the most comfortable the last couple of days.” “The things I’ve been working on are starting to come through,” Howard said. He drove...
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Phillies 2, Rays 1: Solid ABs in Chase Utley's debut
CLEARWATER, Fla — It was like old times at Bright House Field Friday as Chase Utley, making his much-awaited 2015 debut in the Phillies‘ lineup, singled leading off the fourth inning and Ryan Howard followed with a home run, his first of the spring, to give the Phils a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. “We’ve done that a…
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Aaron Harang (back) scratched from another start
CLEARWATER, Fla — Aaron Harang, who was unscored upon in his first spring start, was scratched from his scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland on Saturday because of lower back discomfort. It is the second start Harang will miss with the injury. Paul Clemens will take his place as Saturday’s starter. “It’s just a little muscular thing...
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Bobby Abreu confident he'll make Phillies' roster
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The numbers tease the Phillies every time Bobby Abreu picks up a bat. They taunt them. They tantalize them. That .292 career batting average for 17 seasons in the big leagues. That .396 career on-base percentage. That .303 average with 195 homers in nine seasons with the Phillies from 1998-2006. Of course, Abreu was younger then. In 2004, he…