--LHP Cole Hamels matched career highs by allowing seven earned runs and 11 hits in a loss at Colorado last Friday. A week later, the Phillies expect he will be better against San Diego. But, really, Hamels remains a mystery. By all accounts, he's behind after missing nearly a week in spring training with inflammation and stiffness in his left elbow. He threw back-to-back bullpen sessions Sunday and Monday and changed his arm slot, an adjustment that is designed to improve Hamels' command, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. Mostly, though, Dubee thinks Hamels' control and velocity will get better through repetition. "I'm expecting progression," Dubee said. "His delivery is getting there. But he needs reps."

--Rookie C Lou Marson made his second career start and first since being recalled from Class AAA Lehigh Valley to replace injured Carlos Ruiz. Marson picked up two hits, a third-inning single and a fifth-inning double, and made a nice defensive play to throw out Anderson Hernandez at second base in the seventh inning. "He made a good throw on a ball that bounced in the dirt and threw a fast runner out," manager Charlie Manuel. "His times to second base are good."

--LHP Jack Taschner allowed four runs in the eighth inning Thursday night, including solo homers by Elijah Dukes and Alberto Gonzalez. Anderson Hernandez and Ryan Zimmerman laced RBI singles. Taschner, acquired during the last week of spring training from San Francisco for C Ronny Paulino, hadn't permitted a run in three innings with the Phillies and had a seven-inning scoreless streak dating to last season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He might not be ready to return when he's first eligible.

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