CLEARWATER, Fla.Spring training is over for Roy Halladay. The next time he gets the ball, it will count.
I feel good about where Im at, the Phillies ace said after his final spring-training start Saturday at Bright House Field. Im looking forward to a change of scenery. I feel like Ive been here since December.
Actually, Halladay has been here since December. While most of his teammates descend on Clearwater and the Phillies training compound in mid-February, Halladay starts his workouts at the facility around Christmas. Hell get that change of scenery when his workouts move to Citizens Bank Park on Monday and again on Thursday when he makes his 10th consecutive opening-day start at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Halladay is ready to go.
I feel like everything is pretty effective, he said.
It wasnt a normal spring for Halladay, right down to the final start, which was altered by rain. Pitching against his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay allowed three hits, including a homer, and two runs in the first two innings before rain delayed the game in the third inning. Halladay, who was at 45 pitches, finished what regardless was scheduled to be a tapered-down start with 20 more pitches off an indoor mound.
Halladay was happy with his velocity and his changeup. He struggled with both early in camp, but kicked it into gear over his final three starts and allowed just five runs over 14 13 innings (3.14 ERA). He allowed 13 hits over that span, walked just two and struck out 17.
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Doc is fine, pitching coach Rich Dubee said. Over his last three outings he picked it up quite a bit.
Halladay finished the spring with an ERA of 5.73. That was fueled by some struggles in his first three starts.
Spring 2012 was completely different than spring 2011 for Halladay. A year ago, he blitzed the Grapefruit League and went 4-0 with an 0.42 ERA. He allowed just one run over 24 23 innings on his way to finishing second in the NL Cy Young race.
What will Halladays up-and-down spring of 2012 lead to in the regular season? Time will tell. He will turn 35 in May and has admitted that time has taken a toll on his fastball. But wise old baseball men will tell you never to pass judgment on a player in spring training. So let the season begin for Roy Halladay.
Antonio Bastardo did not pitch in Saturdays 8-5 loss to the Jays. The lefty reliever had said Friday that he was supposed to, but Dubee said he was not scheduled. He may get an inning Sunday against the Braves at Disney.
Lefty Raul Valdes pitched two innings, allowed an unearned run, a walk and struck out three. Valdes has pitched 12 23 innings over nine appearances and allowed just two earned runs. He and Joe Savery seem to be competing for the last spot in the bullpen. Jose Contreras (recovering from elbow surgery) will open on the disabled list (see story) and Mike Stutes (shoulder inflammation) may as well. That would likely open a spot for David Herndon.
John Mayberry Jr. has had a difficult spring. He is hitting just .192. Mayberry broke an 0-for-19 skid with his first home run of the spring.
Mayberry came into camp as the lead candidate to win the left field job, by Juan Pierre has made a late push for time at that position. Pierre had his fifth hit in two games Saturday to raise his spring average to .370.
Manager Charlie Manuel was asked if he was concerned about Mayberry.
Not really, he said. Hes been doing some things wrong at the plate. His approach hasnt been good. He hasnt been loading up. He did a better job today. He loaded and kept his hands above the ball and put a good swing on it.
Cliff Lee starts against the Braves on Sunday afternoon. The Phils will fly to Philadelphia after the game and play the Pirates in exhibition games at Citizens Bank Park on Monday and Tuesday nights. Joe Blanton and Cole Hamels will start those games for the Phils.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com