MLB Headlines

IN THIS STORY:
play PSD fantasy sports Team Home
Rumors
Schedule
Roster
Phillies downplay talk of Myers returning in August

"Everybody might want to hold off on buying the chips and dip for the big Welcome Back Brett Myers party for a little while longer.Myers, who opened the season as the Phillies' No. 2 starter then underwent hip surgery that was widely expected to end his season, was back at Citizens Bank Park last night. He repeated that he's well ahead of schedule on his rehab and hopes to be able to be activated in August.All involved agree that would be a nice stretch-run boost. But assistant general manager Scott Proefrock warned against getting all giddy over the prospect just yet.He said the team is proceeding on the assumption that Myers won't be back this year, and added: "Obviously, we're very pleased with how things have progressed but we've still got a long way to go. I don't think the right thing would be to count on him to contribute in a major way. If he does, that would be great."That's the prudent approach, but Myers has ideas of his own."I'm going to throw a bullpen Saturday [at Citizens Bank Park], then I'm going to head to Clearwater and throw in games there, simulated games, and try to get in some [minor league] games," he said. "Maybe three, four bullpens before I'm in a game, I figure. Then probably depending on how many innings they want me to go, whether I'm coming back in the bullpen or not, then I'll see how long they want me to stay there. We'll see how that goes."Myers' surgery was similar to what second baseman Chase Utley had during the offseason. "Except that there were some bone chips that broke off and they had to dig those out," the 28-year-old righthander said.Charlie Manuel admitted he originally didn't expect Myers to pitch again this year."


Top MLB Headlines