"The Phillies said the MRI on Raul Ibanez reinforced their original diagnosis of a strained left groin.

Ibanez was placed on the disabled list Thursday and had his MRI later that day.

He wasn't available to the print media before the game, but he told a TV reporter: "I'm feeling better. I expect to continue to progress and be back healthy."

That was welcome news to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will be without arguably his best hitter at least until July 3.

"That's fantastic," Manuel said. "Like I always say, especially with Raul, we want him back as soon as possible. That's good news."

That would seem to indicate that Ibanez didn't tear his groin or suffer a sports hernia, which would have kept him out for a few months at least.

Ibanez was second in the National League in home runs (22), RBIs (59) and runs scored (51) and he was the leading vote getter among NL outfielders for the All-Star Game on July 14.

Ibanez was limping noticeably while running out a grounder in the fourth inning Wednesday. Ibanez said Thursday that his groin has been bothering him off and on since April.

The Phillies, however, weren't aware about it until recently, when they returned from a West Coast trip June 8.

"He didn't say too much about it," Manuel said. "He wanted to play. He definitely didn't want to come out of the game (Wednesday). He made a very strong case that he wanted to stay in there and play."

Manuel said the pain might linger when he returns.

"I think he's going to be able to play, if not every day, then just about every day," Manuel said. "I think he's going to need time to have a break every now and then."

Lidge to rehab

Phillies closer Brad Lidge did not start a rehab assignment Friday, as he had hoped after throwing a bullpen session Thursday.

But he will make a rehab appearance today for Double-A Reading against Harrisburg.

Lidge, who was placed on the disabled list June 8 with synovitis in his knee, is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday."