There were few roster spots up for grabs this spring, but the Phillies did answer several health-related questions. Both 2B Chase Utley and 3B Pedro Feliz proved they were ready to open the season on time after having offseason surgeries, and LHP Cole Hamels overcame lingering tightness in his elbow.
PLAYER NEWS: --LHP Cole Hamels threw a bullpen session Monday at Nationals Park and remains on track to start Thursday against Washington. Hamels also threw a bullpen session Sunday when the Phillies were in Denver. The idea behind the back-to-back bullpens: Hamels is trying to refine his mechanics after missing about a week of spring training because of stiffness and inflammation in his left elbow. Hamels was tagged for career highs of 11 hits and seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday against the Rockies at Coors Field.
--1B Ryan Howard didn't grow up in the Philadelphia area. Howard is a St. Louis kid, born and raised, and he rooted for the Cardinals during the era of Ozzie Smith and Whitey Herzog. But the Cardinals' biggest star always was broadcaster Jack Buck. So, when Howard got drafted by the Phillies in 2001, and after he reached the majors three years later, he never required an explanation of Harry Kalas' immense popularity. More than most Philadelphia outsiders, he understood the power of The Voice. And in the wake of Kalas' death Monday, Howard realized the enormousness of the loss. "I got to listen to Jack Buck, and when he passed, it was tough on St. Louis because he was the voice that we listened to," Howard said. "When I got here to Philly, (Kalas) is the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, so I could relate because growing up it was Jack Buck. Having Harry calling games, he is the Phillies. He is the voice. It's going to be different."
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. The Phillies won't rush him back.
LHP Mike Zagurski (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He resumed pitching in late March and could be ready to join the team by mid-April.
ROTATION:
LHP Cole Hamels
RHP Brett Myers
LHP Jamie Moyer
RHP Joe Blanton
RHP Chan Ho Park
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge (closer)
RHP Ryan Madson
RHP Chad Durbin
LHP Scott Eyre
RHP Clay Condrey
LHP J.A. Happ
LHP Jack Taschner
CATCHERS:
Chris Coste
Lou Marson
INFIELDERS:
1B Ryan Howard
2B Chase Utley
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Pedro Feliz
INF Eric Bruntlett
INF Miguel Cairo
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Raul Ibanez
CF Shane Victorino
RF Jayson Werth
OF/INF Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
