Phillies potpourri: Hamels in home opener?

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CLEARWATER, Fla.A few Phillies thoughts after a Wednesday at the ballpark:

Roy Halladay had a very un-Halladay-like start in a 6-4 loss to the Twins. He gave up seven hits, including two homers, and five runs while throwing 70 pitches in 2 23 innings. Halladay is still trying to find his changeup and fine-tune command of his sinker.

Im going to use the entire spring to get ready, he said.

Despite the tough start, you can bet the ranch that whenever the Phillies name an opening day starter, it will be Halladay. The Phils open at Pittsburgh on April 5. They play their home opener four days later at Citizens Bank Park.

Rich Dubee, who handles all matters pitching, hasnt announced his pitching rotation yet, but his current order of pitchers would suggest that he plans to split lefties Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. If Dubee stays on that course, Lee could follow Halladay and pitch the second game of the season at Pittsburgh with righthander Vance Worley getting the call in the third game. That would leave Hamels as the starter for the home openera nice treat for fans. Joe Blanton would follow Hamels, unless the Phillies trade the righthander. In that case, Kyle Kendrick could move into the rotation.

Thursday could be an important day for Dontrelle Willis. The lefty missed several days with arm soreness. He is scheduled to throw an inning against Tampa Bay in Clearwater.

Willis struggled in his first two outings, allowing five hits, two walks and five runs in 1 23 innings. He needs to make a good showing the remainder of camp because he is on a non-guaranteed contract.

Unlike some other Phillies officials, manager Charlie Manuel isnt afraid to say that Ryan Howard suffered a setback. Howard has returned to camp after that setback and Manuel was impressed with the sluggers frame of mindeven if he doesnt know when Howard will take the field.

His mind-set is good, Manuel said. At the same time, he had a setback. He was doing good. He was ahead of time. Itll take him a while to build back up.

I was day-dreaming until he had a setback that hed be ready the last week of April, first week of May. Our doctors and trainers dont know when hell be ready. Once he gets back in the routine of hitting and fielding, well know more. Right now I dont want to guess.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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