Philadelphia Phillies News

Romero hopeful for Opening Day
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March 18
Camden Courier-Post
 
"All along, the Phillies had said reliever J.C. Romero probably wouldn't be ready for Opening Day. Romero himself said Wednesday that he wasn't going to rush back for the April 5 opener in Washington. But he also wouldn't rule it out after throwing 25 pitches during batting practice, the first time he has faced hitters this spring after elbow surgery over the winter. "I haven't ruled out (breaking) camp with the team," Romero said. "I was actually letting some pitches go and I felt pretty good, so it's a matter of how my body reacts. . . . If I can break camp with the team, that would be great. If I have to stay back, I'll stay back and do what I have to do." There are no plans yet for ..."
Bastardo, Escalona plan to be in majors
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March 18
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The competition has been intense, and in the end it might not matter because there's a chance that both Antonio Bastardo and Sergio Escalona could serve as left-handed relievers out of the bullpen. If that's the case, they would have J.C. Romero to thank -- in more ways than one. Romero is the Phillies' late-inning lefty reliever, which would leave one spot open for either Bastardo or Escalona. But Romero is coming back from elbow surgery last winter after missing the final three months of the season with a forearm injury. The Phillies have considered him a long shot to be ready for the start of the season. "I'm not thinking about Sergio and me," Bastardo said. "I'm thinking about the ..."
Romero, Lidge still making steady progress
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March 18
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Two veterans essential to the Phillies' bullpen are moving forward this week in their respective rehabilitations. Lefthander J.C. Romero faced a hitter for the first time in 2010 yesterday, and closer Brad Lidge is finally scheduled for game action this afternoon. Romero, recovering from October elbow surgery, threw 25 pitches to hitter Francisco Diaz, a minor league catcher, in a bullpen session yesterday morning. Romero was encouraged and said that, while a return by Opening Day was unlikely, it was not impossible. "I will pitch in a game when my body tells me I'm ready to go," he said. "95 percent is not going to cut it. I know I'm good. I'm going through everything I have to do with no ..."
Slow but steady progress for Phils reliever Romero
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March 18
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"J.C. Romero may not have ruled himself out for Opening Day, but most of the rest of the organization has, meaning his progress should be judged on small steps like the one he took yesterday. The first word after his first throwing session against hitters was positive, at least from the 34-year-old lefthander who is attempting to work his way back from offseason elbow surgery. Romero threw 25 pitches, concentrating mostly on his fastball, and suffered no visible physical setbacks during a morning workout at the Carpenter Complex. "I'm happy with everything that's going on right now," said Romero, who underwent surgery to repair a second-degree tear of his flexor tendon in October. Romero, ..."
Ruiz becoming irreplaceable for Phillies
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March 18
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Paul Hagen
"A couple of weeks into the 1980 season, Angels catcher Brian Downing broke an ankle in a collision at the plate. That seemed to ignite a firecracker string of injuries. At one point, general manager Buzzie Bavasi and manager Jim Fregosi met to decide which catcher to bring up from the minors. Neither was enthused about the options. Finally, Bavasi made an executive decision. "We'll bring up [Stan] Cliburn," he concluded. "At least his wife has [large breasts]. You can look at him and I'll look at her." Well, that didn't work out so well. A year after making it to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, the Angels finished sixth in a seven-team division. Wizened baseball men ..."
Phillies starting staff so good this spring, it's scary
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March 18
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The numbers aren't just solid, they are ridiculous - impressive enough to earn the Phillies' rotation a collective Cy Young. Except, this is the Grapefruit League, where they hand out pitch counts instead of trophies, and where successes and failures rest in eternal peace once March turns to April. It is where Brett Myers went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 2008 . . . and 3 months later found himself pitching in the minor leagues. It is where Cole Hamels went 2-2 with a 6.63 ERA that same spring . . . and then started a season that culminated in a World Series MVP. "It's spring training," righthander Joe Blanton said after holding the New York Yankees to two runs in five innings in the Phillies' ..."
Brown's big day ends in demotion
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March 17
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Domonic Brown had one of those spring training days that no one will forget anytime soon. He hit a home run that cleared the back fence at Bright House Field off Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander in a nine-pitch at-bat. He followed with a homer to right-center off lefty Phil Coke that Brown thought was a pop-up -- one that traveled nearly 400 feet. Brown went 3-for-3 with two homers, four RBIs, and the admiration of the 9,833 fans during the Phillies' 6-1 win over the Detroit Tigers Tuesday. For all of that, Brown was sent down to the minor leagues, a move that was expected despite Brown's .417 average and eight RBIs in 24 at-bats. "He hit his way right out of here," Phillies manager ..."
Hamels having spring success
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March 17
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Cole Hamels said his fastball felt a little flat, and the Detroit Tigers hit quite a few of them deep to the outfield. But they didn't go out. "I was able to get them to (hit it) in between, so they didn't hit them 450 feet, and they went only 350," Hamels said. Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said that could have been because the Tigers were kept off balance just enough by the two pitches Hamels has worked extensively on during the offseason -- the curveball and the cutter. "Any time you can plant a seed in a hitter's mind, you give him more to think about," Dubee said. "Everyone knows he has a fastball and changeup. Now all of a sudden you've got to respect the curveball, you've got ..."
Hamels looks sharp in Phillies' victory
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March 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"If this is what can be expected from Cole Hamels' makeover, then the Phillies have themselves their old ace back. With his new four-pitch arsenal, Hamels delivered five dominating innings yesterday during his team's 6-1 exhibition victory over the Detroit Tigers at Bright House Field. The 54-pitch performance clearly pleased pitching coach Rich Dubee. "Last year, Cole played against himself more than the opponent," Dubee said. "He fought himself the whole year. You could see his body language and the frustration. This year, he is competing against hitters and he's in a great frame of mind. He's executing pitches and he has weapons right now." In three Grapefruit League outings, Hamels has ..."
Phils' Brown impresses before being sent down
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March 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Hours before yesterday's game against Detroit, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins walked into the batting cages in a tunnel at Bright House Field. There he saw Domonic Brown and Charlie Manuel. Manuel had waited all spring to have the conversation, and he knew his time with Brown was dwindling before the outfielder was sent to minor-league camp. The manager had noticed Brown closing his stance after his stride. He wanted the lefthanded batter to square up so he could hit the ball with power to right field. Rollins watched the instruction. He already had been impressed with the way the 22-year-old had handled himself in his first big-league camp. But what Rollins saw Brown do after Manuel's ..."
Phils' Lidge works on holding runners on first
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March 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Even before Johnny Damon helped point the 2009 World Series irrevocably toward a Yankees victory with his "Did that really just happen?" steal of two bases on one pitch in Game 4, Brad Lidge recognized the flaw in his own game. An inability to hold runners on base was one of many side effects caused by knee pain last season, and Damon's memorable heists reinforced the need to address it. "That was the icing on the cake," said Lidge, who had allowed 11 of the 12 attempted base-stealers to succeed last year before that play. "The cake had been built all year long. It was a big cake. That was just putting the sprinkles on it. That slapped me in the face and made us very aware of what we had ..."
Hamels will be fine if he keeps following Verlander's pattern
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March 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Paul Hagen
"The kid pitcher zoomed through the system. Got to the major leagues in a hurry. His reputation preceded him, not surprising since he was a first-round draft choice. Wowed everybody from the beginning. Made it look easy those first two full seasons in the bigs. Even made an All-Star team. Then, at age 25, it happened. A losing record. An ERA that jumped more than a full run. All sorts of wonder and worry, conspiracy theories, distress flares, conjecture about what had gone wrong and whether he could ever get it back. This is your life, Justin Verlander. This is your life, Cole Hamels. Verlander started for the Tigers yesterday at Bright House Field. Hamels was on the mound for the Phillies. ..."
Phillies third baseman Polanco hopes to return Friday
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March 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Placido Polanco talked - and walked - like a man who had survived a serious scare. Less than 24 hours after he was helped off the field in Bradenton, the Phillies' third baseman said he was hopeful he would be able to return to the lineup by Friday. Polanco sprained his right knee on Monday when he landed awkwardly on the mound after tracking a pop-up in the Phillies' win over the Pirates. Yesterday, he said the swelling in the knee had subsided, and that no further tests would be necesarry. "I was pretty worried [Monday]," Polanco said. But that worry evaporated when the Phillies' training staff cleared him to hit off a tee and ride a stationary bike. Polanco, who was replaced by Greg ..."
Brown showed Phillies why he's a keeper
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March 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"They are rock stars now, millionaires with ad campaigns and World Series bling and MVP trophies sitting on their mantels. Now, spring training is a time to endure, not to cherish. Not long ago, however, Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard felt the range of emotions that were present in Domonic Brown yesterday, as he trotted around the bases with a bona fide ace staring him down, as he stood sheepishly in front of a gaggle of media after what years from now might be known as his moment. "You so desperately want to do well up here," Hamels said. "I guess it's kind of that macho-ness that you have. Because you don't belong. And you want to feel like you belong." Hamels' moment occurred in March of ..."
La Russa, Pujols irritated about trade rumors
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March 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals are quickly discovering that enjoying the game's premier player comes with a price. Three-time NL Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols is two seasons shy of reaching free agency. However, his insistence that he will not engage in negotiations for an extension once the season begins and his subsequent leverage to veto any trade have already incited a speculative flash fire. A day after declining to address published innuendo by ESPN citing a claim by anonymous sources that the Philadelphia Phillies were willing to offer first baseman Ryan Howard for Pujols, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday, "We're not trading him ... period." Mozeliak had little else to say on ..."
Moyer stumbles in starter's role
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March 16
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Jamie Moyer pitched Monday in a B game, but the Toronto Blue Jays used their A hitters and Moyer ended up bringing his D game. That spells "bad" in any language, and that's pretty much how Moyer's day went. He allowed five runs on eight hits in three innings, an obvious setback for Moyer in the competition for the fifth-starter spot. That's because Moyer's outing came one day after Kyle Kendrick extended his shutout streak to nine innings this spring after he threw four innings Sunday against the Orioles in Sarasota. "I didn't think I threw very well," Moyer said. "I elevated a few too many pitches. I threw a lot of poor pitches and I threw a lot of good pitches . . . I know the bad ..."
Halladay finally gives up a run
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March 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"OK, so he isn't perfect. Roy Halladay allowed his first run of the spring in yesterday's 5-1 Grapefruit League victory by the Phillies over the Pirates. Ryan Doumit led off the second inning with a double, and the next batter, Lastings Milledge, drove him home with a single. That was the only blemish in a five-inning outing. Halladay struck out six (five looking) and walked two. Halladay said he feels good physically but is battling a few things. "Just consistency," Halladay said. "Sinker. Throwing quality strikes as often as I would like. Just a couple bad walks today. The ball is kind of running away from me. Just getting more consistent with that, especially getting ahead early in the ..."
Phillies' Moyer struggles in B game vs. Jays
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March 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"For the third straight time in this spring training, Jamie Moyer pitched in a B game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Yesterday morning's exhibition, however, was quite different for the Phillies' 47-year-old lefthander and it wasn't a good different. His pitching line: five runs - all earned - eight hits, one walk, four strikeouts, three innings and quite a few expletives. "I didn't think I threw very well," Moyer said after the Phillies' 8-1 loss to the Jays. "I elevated a few too many pitches. I threw a lot of poor pitches and I threw a lot of good pitches." Facing a lineup with seven of the Blue Jays' nine projected regulars, Moyer needed 31 pitches to get through the first inning, which ..."
Phillies' Polanco sprains right knee
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March 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Placido Polanco lost the lazy pop-up in the sun. The ball fell to the infield grass. And so did Polanco. The Phillies' third baseman tripped over the back of the pitcher's mound and twisted his right knee. He then tried to stand up but collapsed to the ground. "When it first happened, you really get scared," Polanco said. "You don't know what's happening. It doesn't feel right. But the doctor took a look at it. It's nothing big at all." After Polanco was helped off the field by two athletic trainers, he was diagnosed with a right knee sprain. He said he is day-to-day with a possible return to action in two to three days. Polanco will not have an MRI done on the knee. All things considered, ..."
Phillies third baseman Polanco sprains knee, but says 'no DL'
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March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"If nothing else, it was a reminder. That things happen. That champions are crowned on playing fields, not paper. That all it takes is one pop fly in the sun, and one awkward step on the infield, to toss a carefully crafted roster into chaos. The way Placido Polanco understands his prognosis, that didn't happen yesterday at McKechnie Field in an otherwise forgettable Grapefruit League win. After the Phillies' new third baseman injured his right knee while chasing a high pop fly in the third inning, a Pirates doctor alleviated his worst fears. "They checked all those complicated ligaments, and it's just the back of the knee, the capsule," said Polanco, who signed a 3-year, $18 million deal ..."
Moyer, Zagurski: Different lefties with common goal
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March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Jamie Moyer has pretty much been there and done that in a professional career that began when Mike Zagurski was just a year old. Moyer has seen it all. Zagurski is still trying to open some eyes. Baseball has a funny way of throwing disparate people together on common ground, though. So yesterday morning, the two lefthanders - one 47 years old and one 2 decades younger - found themselves wearing the same Phillies uniform in the same ballpark with the same thought in mind: Pitch well enough to be on the Opening Day roster. The setting was a B game against the Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium, although Toronto's starting lineup was packed with regulars like Lyle Overbay, Jose Bautista, Vernon ..."
Why Phillies are looking at 98 wins
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March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Bill Conlin
"So, we're down to St. Patrick's Day Eve and it's time for the annual Phillies prediction. In 1993, I sensed a special set of intangibles in the crazies that GM Lee Thomas turned over to manager Jim Fregosi. Coming off a dead-last finish in 1992, picking the reinforced cast of baseball's "Animal House" to win the pennant was more than a little risky; it was nuts. But I did and the Phillies jumped out to a huge lead, hung on for the East title, then took out the favored Braves in six. You know the rest. So here we are again, with a team that is the biggest Phillies favorite to win the division since the playoff format began. They are a narrower fave to win a third straight pennant. Charlie ..."
Mo' Confirms the Obvious: Albert Going Nowhere
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March 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak was making a move toward his rental car moments after Thursday's 6-5 walk-off loss to the New York Mets when he was overtaken by a question about first baseman Albert Pujols' possible availability for trade. Mozeliak initially had no comment Sunday about an ESPN report about the Philadelphia Phillies contemplating a trade proposal of first baseman Ryan Howard for the Cardinals' three-time NL MVP, Albert Pujols. Monday, he sought to quash any percolating intrigue. "We're not trading him… period," Mozeliak said before making his getaway with assistant GM John Abbamondi."
Polanco downplays injury to right knee
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March 16
Camden Courier-Post
 
"It looked a lot worse than it was when Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco was helped off the field after chasing a pop fly just behind the mound in the third inning Monday. Polanco had lost the ball in the sun and, as he was locating the ball, he stepped awkwardly on the back of the mound. The ball dropped in and Polanco tried hobbling before going down. He was helped off by two trainers and it seemed like the Phillies would have to find a fill-in at third base for a while. But after getting checked by a Pirates doctor, Polanco said his knee was feeling a lot better and he should only miss a few days. The injury was diagnosed as a right knee sprain."
Howard unfazed by 'false' trade rumor
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March 15
MLB.com
 
"Ryan Howard spoke and Shane Victorino chanted. "Al-bert! Al-bert! Al-bert!" Howard on Monday morning addressed an ESPN.com story that the Phillies have discussed proposing a Howard-for-Albert Pujols swap. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "It's unequivocally false," on Sunday night. Howard gathered his thoughts before he addressed reporters in the Phillies' clubhouse at Bright House Field. Victorino said Pujols' name in the distance, ending the interview as Howard cracked up. "I don't really have anything to say about it, to be honest with you, really, truthfully," Howard said. "I can go back to all the stuff that happened when I was in Double-A and all the talk about trade ..."
Orioles top Phillies, 4-3
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March 15
Baltimore Sun
 
"With bad news and another injury seemingly cropping up on a daily basis, starter Brian Matusz finally gave the Orioles something to feel good about. Facing very close to what will be the defending National League champions' Opening Day lineup, Matusz held the Philadelphia Phillies to one run in five strong innings of the Orioles' 4-3 victory Sunday in front of a sun-splashed announced crowd of 8,092. The biggest crowd for a baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium watched the Orioles win for just the third time in 11 chances this spring. In the longest outing for an Orioles starter this spring, Matusz allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out two. "I was really pleased," said ..."
Escalona shelled in tough outing
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March 15
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The Phillies say they're not worried yet. But after watching Sergio Escalona get hit hard, one day after watching Antonio Bastardo get hit hard, they aren't feeling too comfortable about the two left-handers battling for a spot in the bullpen. The situation could become even more desperate if lefty reliever J.C. Romero, as expected, isn't ready to start the season. "(The results) are not as good as I'd like to see yet, but I'm sure it will iron itself out," Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "I like both of those kids. . . .We think those kids can pitch in the big leagues. But the later we get into the spring, the more they'll have to show it. "They haven't shown it yet." And if they ..."
Kendrick posts solid outing
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March 15
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The battle to be the fifth starter is perhaps the most compelling one in the Phillies spring training camp because the Phils have gone to the World Series the past two seasons and there aren't many jobs open. It's also compelling because Kyle Kendrick is making it that way. Kendrick threw four more shutout innings Sunday in the Phillies' 4-3 loss to the Orioles, allowing just two hits. In three appearances this spring, he has not allowed a run or a walk in nine innings. "I'm not surprised," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's pitching good. We'll keep stretching him out and let him go. . . .He's done all of his work. He's done everything that's been asked of him and he's ..."
Kendrick gives Phillies another sharp outing
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March 15
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Jamie Moyer may have been deemed the favorite to win the fifth starter's job for the Phillies this spring, but Kyle Kendrick is pitching just about as well as he can. Kendrick allowed no runs over four innings yesterday in his third Grapefruit League appearance, a 4-3 loss to Baltimore. He stretched his scoreless-innings streak to nine and has yet to walk a batter this spring. "As long as I'm pitching quality outings, that's all I can do," Kendrick said. "I'm not trying to be perfect. That puts a lot of pressure on yourself." Nine of Kendrick's 12 outs yesterday were on ground balls. He allowed two hits and plunked Miguel Tejada in the first inning. He said his command felt sharper - not ..."
Been-there Baez: Madson fit to close
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March 15
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"After Danys Baez first became a closer near the end of the 2002 season with Cleveland, he converted six of his eight save opportunities. And he heard the criticism. "When you step out as a closer to prove yourself and to let everyone know you can do it, you have to be perfect," Baez said. "You have to be good right away. "You have no room for mistakes to prove yourself. If you have a couple bad games, that doesn't mean you can't do the job. But it also means everyone can say, 'I don't know. He hasn't done it before.' That's what happens." That's also why, Baez said, it's too soon to pass judgment on Ryan Madson as a closer. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel agrees: If Brad Lidge isn't ready ..."
If someone calls, Eyre would consider pitching again
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March 15
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"On a day when the Phillies' lack of healthy and proven lefthanded relievers moved closer to center stage, Scott Eyre rejoined the team. Well, sort of. Eyre, who had a 1.50 earned run average in 42 games as a lefty bullpen specialist for the Phillies last year, was at Ed Smith Stadium to participate in a postgame radio show hosted by team publicity director John Brazer. Bothered by bone chips in his elbow late in the season, the 37-year-old didn't sign a contract last winter. But he hasn't announced his retirement, either. Hmmmm . . . "I'm not against [a comeback] completely," Eyre said with a laugh during a break in the show. "Somebody would have to call me. But my elbow feels good. I ..."
Phillies bullpen light on lefty options
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March 15
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Picture a packed Nationals Park. April 5, Opening Day for the Phillies in Washington. Leading by a run in the bottom of the eighth with two outs, but the Nats have the bases loaded and dangerous Adam Dunn is settling in at the plate as the stadium lights begin to sharpen in the gathering, early-evening gloom. Charlie Manuel calls for time and ambles toward the mound. He wants to bring in a lefthander to face the lefty-swinging Dunn. The Phillies' manager turns to the bullpen and calls for . . . Good question. Ready or not, the regular season begins 3 weeks from today for the Phillies. They have that long to determine who their lefthanded reliever or relievers will be. Right now the Magic 8 ..."
Kendrick nothing short of fantastic for Phillies
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March 15
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Somebody mentioned that Kyle Kendrick hasn't given up a run yet this spring. He made a face and knocked on the wooden frame of his locker. Then somebody else mentioned that he hasn't walked a batter, either. He knocked on wood again. Well, why take a chance? Kendrick, who is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation with veteran Jamie Moyer, spun four more shutout innings in yesterday's 4-3 exhibition loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. He gave up two singles. Nine of his 12 outs came on grounders. And while Moyer, who will make his third appearance of the spring in a "B" game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin this morning, still will probably get the benefit of ..."
Phillies GM Amaro denies swap talks
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March 14
ESPN.com
 
"It's the sort of thing that is much more likely to happen in fantasy baseball than in real life, but according to sources, an idea has been kicked around the Phillies' organization internally, with discussions about proposing a swap of slugger Ryan Howard for St. Louis superstar Albert Pujols. It's not fully clear whether the Phillies actually have approached the Cardinals with the idea, and even if St. Louis were to seriously consider such an offer, executives with the Cardinals would have to swallow very hard before dealing Pujols, a player widely regarded as the best in the sport."
Manuel says Madson would be next in line
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March 14
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Brad Lidge threw about 20 pitches to outfielder Chris Duffy in another batting practice session Saturday, and felt so positive about his progress that he divulged the Phillies' plan to have him pitch in a minor-league game on Monday. Not so fast. At the request of pitching coach Rich Dubee, Lidge will throw batting practice again Monday before graduating to a game situation. And although Dubee said the closer has been "progressing nicely" from right elbow surgery in November and right knee surgery in January, his odds of being ready by opening day decrease with each passing day. So if the Phillies have a late-inning lead April 5 in Washington, and if Lidge begins the season on the disabled ..."
Top prospect Heyward worth the hype, says Cox
Comment
March 14
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Ever since he decided that this season would be his last as a major-league manager, Bobby Cox hasn't had any second thoughts about retirement. Well, except for when he watches Jason Heyward in batting practice. "It's like, what the (heck) are you thinking?" Cox said last week before managing the Atlanta Braves in a Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. "He's a special kid." Heyward, a 20-year-old right fielder and widely regarded as the top prospect in all of baseball, is opening eyes across Florida this spring. He is 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, and he hits for power, runs well and makes strong, accurate throws. But there's something else about Heyward that has impressed Cox. "The ..."
Mathieson among 14 sent down
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March 14
Camden Courier-Post
 
"After everything he's been through -- three elbow surgeries, including two ligament-replacement procedures, in four years -- Scott Mathieson thought he finally was ready this spring to compete for a job in the Phillies' bullpen. The Phillies didn't see it that way. So, when they made their first round of roster trims Saturday, Mathieson was among 14 players summoned to manager Charlie Manuel's office to be informed he was being sent to minor-league camp on the other side of the Carpenter Complex. "He's a guy we just didn't feel was going to be ready in April and be refined enough in his secondary stuff to be able to compete for a job at the big-league level," general manager Ruben Amaro ..."
Fan sues Romero, alleging injury
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March 14
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"J.C. Romero is being sued by the Florida man who accused the Phillies pitcher of striking him after a game at Tropicana Field last season. Robert Eaton, 26, of New Port Richey, filed a lawsuit March 3 in Pinellas County, claiming that Romero caused him serious and permanent injury on June 25, 2009, according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times. Eaton alleges that Romero hit him in the neck when he was asking for an autograph. After St. Petersburg police investigated the claim and handed it to the state attorney's office, charges were not pursued because of conflicting accounts from witnesses."
Howard has a new stance on upping his numbers
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March 14
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Ryan Howard's resumé jumps off the page with the same amount of force as the baseball jumps off his bat on its journey over that giant brick wall in center field at Citizens Bank Park. Accomplishments: 2005 National League rookie of the year, 2006 NL MVP, 2009 NLCS MVP, two-time all-star, two-time NL home run leader, three-time NL RBI leader, 2008 World Series champion. What more could anyone ask for? The answer often comes quickly: more walks, fewer strikeouts and a better grasp of recognizing a breaking ball that is diving out of the strike zone. Nobody's perfect. "This is a game where you don't hit every day," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before a recent Grapefruit League game. ..."
Mathieson among first cut
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March 14
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"A small surprise this morning in Phillies camp: Scott Mathieson, who was looking to fill one of the final bullpen spots, was among the first players reassigned to minor league camp today. Mathieson, who has had two Tommy John surgeries, was a feel-good story coming into camp. During his return to action last season, he routinely hit high 90s with his fastball. But his secondary pitches -- especially his slider -- have needed work. And the Phillies have been concerned about his relative lack of innings last season."
Escalona knows now is the time
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March 13
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Sergio Escalona smiles at the possibilities. With only 24 days until the April 5 season opener, the Phillies have at least one -- and perhaps as many as three -- jobs available in their bullpen. Meanwhile, J.C. Romero, their only experienced lefty reliever, is still recovering from elbow surgery and probably won't make his regular-season debut until at least mid-April. Escalona can almost hear the opportunity knocking. "I know the bullpen situation right now," he said Friday after the Phillies' split-squad games against the Tigers in Lakeland and against the Rays in Port Charlotte were rained out. "Everybody wants to do his job, because there's a big chance for everybody. I will fight for ..."
Weather washes out Tigers-Phillies, split-squad vs. Yankees up next
Comment
March 13
Michigan Live
 
"Friday's scheduled exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies was rained out early and the Tigers didn't get much of anything done. The sun never came out. According to manager Jim Leyland, it's only a problem if the rainouts stack up. "It's not OK, but it's OK," Leyland said. "You can't do anything about it so you just do the best you can. Obviously we've got a lot of work to do. I think the next 10 days or so are going to be critical for us in the pitching area." Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson had been scheduled to pitch Friday. They will pitch instead in Saturday's split-squad game against the New York Yankees. "The plan is to have Bonderman, Robertson and (Dontrelle) ..."
Andy Pettitte had Phillies dancing in his head
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March 13
Bergen Record
 
"Instead of opposing the Washington Nationals on Friday afternoon at Viera, Andy Pettitte did his pitching indoors and imagined he was facing the Philadelphia Phillies. That's what happens when rain washes out your Grapefruit League start. "I didn't give up a hit," Pettitte said with a smile, after simulating three innings inside the batting cages at Steinbrenner Field. "Unfortunately, this is what we had to do." At this late date, Pettitte still hasn't faced a live hitter from another team this spring. Last Sunday, when the Yankees made the long trip to Fort Myers against the Twins, manager Joe Girardi allowed Pettitte to stay behind and pitch two simulated innings against Colin Curtis and ..."
Taking a stab at the opening day roster
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March 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Three weeks from today, the Phillies will break camp here in Florida and travel north to Philadelphia for two final exhibition games with the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. As we've said all spring, the majority of the Phillies roster was already decided before spring training began. Not too much has changed since the workouts and games began. But it's a rainy day in Florida. And what better time to do a little predicting? So here is our projected opening day roster on March 12 with a quick thought on each player. Then, in three weeks we can come back and laugh at it when everything changes."
Durbin's new approach
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Two years into his new role as a full-time reliever, Chad Durbin learned how fickle the role can be. In 2008, Durbin was one of Charlie Manuel's most reliable pitchers. He had a 2.87 ERA and 40 of his 71 appearances for the Phillies came in the seventh or eighth inning. But those 71 games also marked a career high. So Durbin took a few extra weeks off during the off-season to rest his arm. But as he began 2009, he said he realized he didn't have his legs and had failed to do all of the core exercise work he needed. That resulted in a strained lower back that bothered him for months and an inconsistent 2009 season. "This off-season I spent a lot of time running, doing core work and making ..."
These Phillies prospects bear watching
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Eight Grapefruit League games into March, the Phillies are just now getting into evaluation mode. At some point in the next few days, the club is expected to announce its first round of cuts, dispatching several of the younger players in camp back to the minor leagues, where they will rejoin their peers in developmental mode. With 23 days until Opening Day, the focus will shift toward preparing the players who have a legitimate shot at contributing in the majors. The starters will get more innings. The relievers will pitch more frequently. And the hitters will continue working their way toward manager Charlie Manuel's prescription of 70 to 80 plate appearances. Here is a look at some of ..."
Phillies Long View Saw Past Two Aces
Comment
March 12
New York Times
 columnist William C. Rhoden
"Ruben Amaro Jr. sat on the balcony outside his office at Bright House Field on Wednesday watching baseball. This was Day 21 of spring training. On Tuesday, Amaro - the Phillies' general manager and Major League Baseball's reigning executive of the year - was in Kissimmee, Fla., watching the Phillies lose to Atlanta. On Wednesday afternoon he was watching a B game between the Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays. Most of the players were in the higher minor leagues. These players, Amaro pointed out, represent the future of the team. The conversation shifted from the importance of building through youth to winning championships and then to a discussion about what constitutes success. There ..."