First And Second Chances On The Line

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Phillies Tame Tigers 4-3

Maikel Franco's sixth-inning infield single not only broke up a Tigers' Grapefruit League no-hit bid, it drove in Ryan Jackson with the go-ahead run, sending the Phillies on their way to a 4-3 win over the Tigers on a blustery Monday at Joker Marchant Stadium. Anibal Sanchez, who missed nearly a month with triceps inflammation, celebrated his first game action this spring with four hitless innings while Miguel Cabrera knocked in his eighth run. Sanchez overcame a leadoff walk in the first inning with eight groundouts -- one of them a double play -- and three strikeouts from there. Phillies starter Aaron Nola, facing the Tigers for the second time spring, countered Sanchez with six innings of two-hit ball in by far his best outing of the spring. Cabrera's third-inning RBI single comprised the only damage. Though new Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez followed Sanchez with a scoreless fifth, overcoming a two-out walk, Justin Wilson paid for back-to-back walks opening the sixth. David Lough's sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position for Tyler Goeddel's RBI groundout. And then Franco, the Grapefruit League's home run leader, hit a ground ball up the middle that left second baseman Andrew Romine with no play as Jackson crossed home plate. Cedric Hunter added a seventh-inning homer -- his third of the spring -- off Blaine Hardy, continuing the left-hander's struggles.

NEXT GAME:

Jerad Eickhoff makes his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday afternoon against the Twins at Bright House Field at 1:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV. Eickhoff has been sidelined this spring after he fractured his right thumb last month. The right-hander has pitched six innings in Minor League games, so the Phillies believe he is on track to make the Opening Day roster.

PHILS PHACTS:

Hunter Hoping For Second Chance – Cedric Hunter very much remembers his first and only big league moment. It happened in the bottom of the sixth inning on April 5, 2011, at Petco Park. Hunter stepped into the batter's box as a pinch-hitter against Giants right-hander Guillermo Mota, who threw him a first-pitch sinker. Hunter laced the 92-mph pitch into center field for his first Major League hit in his third Major League game. Hunter's Padres teammates got the ball back. It was supposed to be a priceless memento from a once-in-a-lifetime moment. "I never got the ball," Hunter said after Monday's 4-3 victory over the Tigers in a Grapefruit League game at Joker Marchant Stadium. "They threw it in the dugout, told me they were going to do the print on it and everything, and I never got it." But the missing ball from Hunter's first and only stint in the big leagues five years ago has not become his Rosebud. "I think it's the way it should be," Hunter said. "If I get back up there again, I want it to be with a team that will be my home team. I feel like the Phillies really treat me well and I feel really comfortable in this organization with the coaches and the staff. I'm just excited for this." Because of injuries to Aaron Altherr and Cody Asche, Hunter, who signed a Minor League contract with the Phillies in January, has a chance to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster. At the moment, the Opening Day outfield could be Odubel Herrera, Peter Bourjos and Rule 5 Draft pick Tyler Goeddel, with non-roster invitees David Lough and Hunter as the extra outfielders. Herrera has not played since March 12 because of a bruised left middle finger. He will be reexamined Tuesday, which is concerning. "It's every kid's dream," Hunter said about a spot on the roster. "I feel like this round would be a lot better than the last." The Padres selected Hunter in the third round of the 2006 Draft and his star quickly rose from there. The 28-year-old earned MVP honors in the Rookie-level Arizona League that same summer, and Baseball America named him San Diego's top prospect in 2007. But Hunter struggled in 2009 in Double-A San Antonio, and he dropped to No. 23 in the organizational rankings. He never reappeared, although he made the Padres' Opening Day roster in 2011 because of a great spring and a late injury to Eric Patterson. Hunter went 1-for-4 with one walk in six games before the Padres optioned him to Triple-A on April 9 to make room for a healthy Patterson. Hunter injured his left groin in July and missed the remainder of the season. He has jumped around since, opening Spring Training 2012 with Oakland before the A's traded him to St. Louis for cash that April. He signed Minor League contracts with the Indians, Braves and Phillies. "It's definitely something I didn't assume would happen in my life," Hunter said. "I think God just puts certain things in your life so you can grow from it. I was [23] when I got up there and I definitely shouldn't have been up there at that time. It just kind of worked out that way. I feel like now I'm a lot more mature. I've learned from a lot of veterans that I've been around in Major League camp, and I feel like it's a different feeling." But he also knows not to get wrapped up in being so close to the big leagues. The Phillies are talking to teams about acquiring another outfielder before Opening Day. If they acquire somebody, Hunter could open in Triple-A. "Obviously, we're thinking about it," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "That remains to be seen. But I like both of the guys I got there [Lough and Hunter]. They've both been really good. Both of them fit right in. It's going to be a tough decision, whether we can keep one or two or whatever." Hunter went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs against the Tigers. He is hitting .302 (13-for-43) with four doubles, one triple, three home runs, 10 RBIs, three walks, seven strikeouts and a .991 OPS. Lough is hitting .310 (9-for-29) with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, eight walks, five strikeouts and a .942 OPS. "I feel great, but in my mind I'm trying to stay content and just hear the words first than just assume," Hunter said. "We've got a week left. There's no telling what can happen in a week." Hunter knows better than anybody. He spent a week in the big leagues in 2011. He has been trying to get back ever since. "The big leagues are a big step, man," Hunter said. "I'm just glad to get a taste, but it's a little different this time."

Efficiency On Display – If Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola is not ready for the season to start, he looks close. Nola allowed two hits, one run, two walks and struck out three in six innings Monday afternoon in the Phillies' 4-3 victory over the Tigers in a Grapefruit League game at Joker Marchant Stadium. It was his best performance of the spring, which is a good thing considering Opening Day is two weeks away. "My body feels a little bit more in tune, my command feels a little bit more in tune," Nola said. "It felt good, other than the third inning when I walked the leadoff batter and he scored. I got myself in trouble that inning." Nola recorded 10 ground-ball outs, limiting him to 65 pitches. He threw his changeup more frequently later in the game, which proved effective. "I got some contact on that, some swings and misses on that, which I needed," he said. Nola has worked on his changeup throughout the spring. "I definitely feel like I've made a lot of strides with it since last year," he said. Nola is on schedule to start the second game of the season on April 6 in Cincinnati, which will allow him to start the home opener at Citizens Bank Park on April 11 against the Padres. Jeremy Hellickson is in line to start Opening Day on April 4, although the Phillies have made no official announcement. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said it could come in the next couple of days.

Futures Game Debut – The Phillies are trying something new before they open their season April 4 in Cincinnati, hosting a "Phillies Futures Game" on April 2 at Citizens Bank Park. The 2016 Phillies will play against some of the organization's top Minor League prospects, many of whom are on MLBPipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. That group is expected to include shortstop J.P. Crawford, outfielders Nick Williams and Roman Quinn and right-handers Jake Thompson, Mark Appel and Zach Eflin. Others are expected to be announced. In the past, the Phillies hosted a Major League team the weekend before the season opener. But the opportunity to see some of the best prospects in baseball could entice Phillies fans to the ballpark. "We are extremely excited to showcase some of our young talent from our Minor League roster, who will be selected to be on the Phillies Futures team," Phillies farm director Joe Jordan said. "It's going to be a fun matchup for our fans in Philadelphia as our Major League roster plays ball against the All-Stars of our farm system during the final Spring Training game of the season." Fans 14 and under will receive a PGW Phillies Futures Series Fathead, featuring the logos of the Phillies' Minor League affiliates. Fans can purchase tickets at phillies.com at the Phillies ticket windows at Citizens Bank Park. Ticket prices range from $10 to $35. Visit phillies.com/futures for further information and upcoming additions to the lineup.

Today In Phils History - Today is a simple recollection as we note that today would have been Cory Lidle's 44th birthday. 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have begun the spring with a 14-5-2 record (15-5-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

Questions Abound This Offseason

PHILS PHACTS:

More Questions About The Rebuild – Do the Phillies have a target date for when they think they'll be playoff-ready? Are they looking for short-term free agents or building blocks this year? -- Bill S., Centennial, Colo. Matt Klentak has been asked a lot of questions since he became the Phillies' general manager, but it seems no question has been asked more than this one. People want to know when the Phils will be good again. It is understandable, but it also is impossible to answer. Why? Because nobody truly knows. The Phillies can hope they can contend as early as 2017, but that hope could crumble if players like Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff experience setbacks, or if prospects like J.P. Crawford, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro sustain injuries or don't pan out. So why would Klentak or anybody else with the Phils give a definitive date for when the club will be a contender? The Phillies first need to see improvement from their young players and prospects in 2016. And that is why they will probably acquire more short- than long-term solutions this offseason. It just doesn't make sense to sign a few players to lucrative multiyear deals when the Phils aren't certain about where their building blocks will be in a couple of years. How does Jeremy Hellickson help the Phillies next season? -- Jimmy C., Philadelphia. Simply put, Hellickson provides depth to the rotation. He is a veteran, but he also is just 28. So it isn't like Hellickson is at the tail end of his career. He went 22-27 with a 4.86 ERA in 72 appearances (71 starts) the previous three seasons. That isn't good -- consider that Aaron Harang posted a 4.86 ERA last season -- but the Phillies are rolling the dice, hoping that Hellickson can have a bounce-back year as he enters free agency. If he does, great. If he doesn't, they didn't lose much by trying. The Phillies didn't commit to more than one year of Hellickson. Based on Twitter and email, fans seemed to respond pretty positively to this acquisition. The ones that didn't either want the Phils to go out and get pitchers like Zack Greinke (which makes no sense, in my opinion -- see my answer to the first question) or they believe Philadelphia should be able to acquire young, controllable aces by Klentak performing some sort of Jedi mind trick on opposing GMs. That just isn't reality. Is trading Ken Giles this offseason really a good idea? I know he could net a huge return, but what if the Phillies pull a miraculous worst-to-first and make the World Series next year? Who's going to nail down that ninth inning? Would he be as good as Giles? -- Brett L., Broomall, Pa. First, trading anybody is a good idea if the return is right. It's not like the Phillies are going to trade Giles for a marginal player. They would only trade him if they believe they are getting a significant return. In my opinion, it's negligent not to be open to those possibilities. Second, you have to play the percentages here. You don't stop yourself from trading somebody on the very, very small chance the Phillies go from worst to first. In that scenario, nearly everything would have to go much better than expected next season. And if everything goes much better than expected, it probably means they already found somebody to replace Giles. I wouldn't worry about it. Giles won't get traded unless the Phils like the return. I've never been to Clearwater. Is it worth a trip this spring? -- Chelsea D., Philadelphia. Absolutely. Spring Training is fun for fans, regardless of the team's expectations. Clearwater, Fla., is a great place to visit in March. The ballpark is fantastic, and there is something cool about leaving home and being surrounded by fellow Phillies fans. Did I mention the weather and the fact the ballpark is great? Just make sure to get a grouper sandwich at Frenchy's while you're there.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! However, at least Ryan Madson got another ring this year.

Phillies Climb Out Of Last Place With Another Win

GAME RECAP: Phillies Beat Padres 4-2

The Phillies have a chance to sweep, after defeating the Padres, 4-2, Saturday night at Petco Park. Adam Morgan earned his third win of the season, going six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits, with one walk and four strikeouts. The Phillies got on the board early, with Chase Utley and Odubel Herrera scoring in the first inning. Herrera knocked in the Phillies' third run with a ground-ball single to right field. The Phillies are 15-5 since the All-Star break and no longer have MLB's worst record, after their victory and a Marlins loss. "Maybe we want to end up in last place to get that Draft pick. We screwed it up," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin joked. "It's just fun to watch these guys. They're all having a good time, and they're all aggressive. They're all pulling for each other. It's contagious." Tyson Ross is 8-9 on the season. He pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out eight. The Padres have lost five straight.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Herrera had two hits, two RBIs, two stolen bases, one outfield assist and made a couple of heads-up baserunning plays, helping him score a run -- all in the first four innings. The Phillies' Rule 5 Draft pick has been on fire, hitting .350 (48-for-137) with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 45 games since June 5. "He plays like his hair is on fire," Mackanin said. "He's getting more aware. He's still going to make some aggressive mistakes, but boy, he's fun to watch play."
• Morgan had been inconsistent in his first seven starts this season, but he retired the first nine batters Saturday before allowing his only earned run in the fifth. It was the fourth time this season Morgan pitched six or more innings, and the fifth time he allowed two or fewer runs. "The second time through the lineup I tried to be too fine," Morgan said. "I'm excited for these next five days to work on that."
• "The first half was subpar to put it lightly. I still love playing the game, so as far as an edge I always feel like I have a chip on my shoulder." -- Utley, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in his second game since returning from the disabled list after hitting .179 in his first 65 games.

NEXT GAME:

After playing second base and hitting leadoff Friday and Saturday, Utley is expected to be on the bench in Sunday's series finale against the Padres at Petco Park at 4:10 p.m. ET. Mackanin is trying to find ways to play both Utley and Hernandez, with the front office hoping they can trade Utley to a contender before the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline. Jerome Williams gets the start for the Phillies. Andrew Cashner (4-11, 4.08 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres in the finale of a three-game series. Cashner will start against the Phillies for the third time in his career. He is 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in his previous two starts against Philadelphia.

PHILS PHACTS:

Return To Form? – Chase Utley said he has played with an edge forever, so he does not need any more motivation to play baseball. But one still wonders if this situation is different. Utley went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Saturday night's 4-2 victory over the Padres at Petco Park. He is 3-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list with a sprained right ankle, a good sign for Utley and the Phillies, who could try to trade him before the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline. "The first half was subpar, to put it lightly," Utley said. "I still love playing the game, so as far as an edge, I always feel like I have a chip on my shoulder." Utley hit .179 with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, 25 RBIs and a .532 OPS in 65 games through June 22, making him one of the least productive hitters in baseball and having some question how much longer he can play. But a strong showing this month could have him headed elsewhere. The Angels and Cubs have expressed interest in him. Of course, Utley has 10-and-5 rights and has indicated in the past he prefers to stay in Philadelphia. But he also left the door ajar in Spring Training when he said he would listen to what the Phillies had to say, especially if the team moved some of its veterans. The Phillies traded Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, Ben Revere and Jake Diekman last month. "Like I've said all along, I would be more than happy to listen to them," Utley said. "I do love Philadelphia. I've had a great time playing here, but out of respect for them, I would definitely listen to them." This is how the game goes. Players come, players go. Even iconic ones. In the meantime, Utley hopes to play much better than he played in the first half of the season. "I feel better than I have in a while," he said. Utley is expected to play about four times a week as interim manager Pete Mackanin still wants to play Cesar Hernandez, who has performed very well since Utley went on the DL. That could mean three games for Utley at second base and one at first base. "We're all on the same page," Utley said. "I think that's what he's up to -- and good," said Mackanin, asked if Utley might be motivated to prove he can still play at a high level. "Like I've said, everybody auditions every day. The old guys have to keep on auditioning to prove they belong and they can still play. And that's what he's doing. He's making a good showing."

Good Move – The Phillies considered Odubel Herrera more than just a Rule 5 Draft pick in December. They considered him a talented hitter with legitimate potential. "We feel like we're taking a shot on a prospect," Phillies pro scouting director Mike Ondo said at the Winter Meetings. Herrera looks like a pretty solid find for the Phillies. He did just about everything for the Phillies in Saturday night's 4-2 victory over the Padres at Petco Park, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two stolen bases, one run scored and one outfield assist. "He plays like his hair is on fire," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. Herrera hit well at the beginning of the season, but by June 5 his batting average dropped to .243 and his OPS dropped to .624. He looked as if he might be a future fourth or fifth outfielder, and if he continued to struggle, a candidate to start 2016 in Triple-A. But Herrera has adjusted to big league pitching and has been thriving since. He is hitting .350 (48-for-137) with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 45 games since June 5. "Every day that goes by I feel more confident," Herrera said through his translator, Phillies assistant coach Jorge Velandia. "I feel like I keep on learning what it is to be a big leaguer. I keep learning from all the different experiences." Herrera, who hit third for the first time this season, singled to center field in the first inning to score Chase Utley from second base and hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Herrera stole second and advanced to third when Maikel Franco grounded out to Padres shortstop Clint Barmes. Herrera waited until Barmes threw to first then bolted for third base. "The shortstop never took a peek at me, so I thought I had a good chance to make it to third," Herrera said. He scored on a wild pitch that bounced only a few feet from home plate to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. "Our whole bench was like, 'No! No!'" Mackanin said. "He beat it. He's getting more aware. He's still going to make some aggressive mistakes, but boy, he's fun to watch play." "The third baseman was playing the shift so I had a good lead," Herrera explained. "So I knew I could be aggressive with anything on the dirt." Herrera singled in the third to score Cesar Hernandez from second to make it 3-0. He stole second and in the fourth inning he threw out Derek Norris at third for a big out. It is hard to believe the Rangers did not protect Herrera for the Rule 5 Draft, but they did not because their system was stacked with prospects. "It gives me an edge," Herrera said about the Rangers letting him go. "I always believed I was going to play in the big leagues."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies season has taken an unexpected turn for the better as they have officially climbed out of the bottom of the NL East with a record of 44-67. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this could still end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 34-70-0 on this day.

Homers Hound Hamels As Phillies Fall To Jays

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Jays Jack Phils 6-3

Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista each launched first-inning home runs, and Josh Donaldson went deep in the sixth as the Blue Jays beat the Phillies, 6-3, before a sell-out crowd of 9,568 at Bright House Field. Left-hander Cole Hamels, coming off an outing in which he surrendered five runs on six hits in two innings, settled down after the two early homers. Hamels allowed five hits and struck out five as he threw 72 pitches over 3 2/3 innings. "Just being able to go out there and feel fresh even with that [pitch count] increase, I didn't even notice it," Hamels said. "I guess that's a good thing." Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey made his third Grapefruit League start for the Jays and continued to pitch well. The right-hander pitched a full six innings, allowing five hits and two unearned runs. Reyes and Bautista provided the early offense for Toronto. Reyes crushed his first homer of the spring on Hamels' first pitch, lining it down the left-field line. Bautista followed Reyes' homer with a bomb of his own, sending a 3-1 pitch over the fence in dead center field to make it 2-0. "He hits the ball hard," Hamels said. "If you get yourself in a bad count, you know he's going to do some damage. ... When he's up, you really have to be precise and execute pitches." The Phillies got on the board in the fourth inning. Second baseman Chase Utley reached on an error by Reyes, moved to second on Ryan Howard's groundout and slid home safely after a single to right by catcher Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz then stole second and scored on a single by center fielder Odubel Herrera to tie the game. Donaldson's solo homer off Seth Rosin broke the tie, and the Jays pulled further ahead with three more runs in the eighth. The Phils added a run in the bottom of the inning when Ben Revere scored on a groundout by Russ Canzler to bring the score to 6-3.

TODAY’S EXHIBITION GAME:

Right-hander Jerome Williams will take the mound Sunday as the Phillies head south to face the Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. Williams was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday after he "tweaked" his hamstring. Williams has given up three runs on seven hits in eight innings this spring. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET live on MLB.TV.

PHILS NOTES:

• Right-hander Chad Billingsley, working back from surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm, threw 18 pitches in one inning during a Minor League game at the Carpenter Complex. Billingsley gave up two hits and struck out one batter.
• Before Saturday's game, the Phillies optioned catcher Tommy Joseph to Minor League camp. Joseph, brought over in the Hunter Pence trade in 2012, went 2-for-13 in five Grapefruit League games. The Phillies now have 44 players in big league camp, including 15 non-roster invitees.
• Outfielder Jeff Francoeur (oblique soreness) is scheduled to get back on the field Sunday for the first time since March 12, playing right field against the Red Sox at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
• The Phillies honored more than 30 former players, coaches and executives during a pregame Alumni Day ceremony Saturday afternoon. Darren Daulton threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Larry Bowa.

PHILS PHACTS:

Back To Normal – Chase Utley took another step forward in the Phillies' 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays at Bright House Field on Saturday, playing four innings at second base -- his first defensive action all spring. Utley only had to make one play, snagging a line drive by Jose Reyes to lead off the third inning, but he said after exiting the game that he felt good. "It went well. Played four innings, didn't have a whole lot of action, but it went well," Utley said. "Just trying to get some defensive reps. Today was a good start." Utley isn't sure what his schedule looks like the rest of the way. With more than two weeks to get ready for Opening Day, the Phillies likely will gradually increase the number of innings he plays at second per game. "I don't necessarily see playing every single day from here on out, but trying to just, take baby steps in a smart way," Utley said. "Good to see him out on the field," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg added. "That's a step in the right direction as far as him saying that he's ready to play the field." Utley, who sprained his right ankle in January, seems to have no issues running the bases. He ran hard from second base, turned the corner at third and slid home safely in the fourth inning of Saturday's game. "So far, so good," Utley said. "The last few games, I've been on the bases, and I've had to pump it up a little bit, and it's been fine."

Out Of Left Field – Ben Revere received word Friday morning that he would be spending some time in left field. So when the Phillies hit the road to Bradenton, Revere hit the field to work at a position he hasn't played in nearly three years. Revere started Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays in left field, with Odubel Herrera in center field. They're slated to line up the same way against the Red Sox on Sunday. Revere has exclusively played center field for the Phillies. He spent 21 games in left with the Twins from 2010-12, and he played 52 games there in the Minors. Could this change be permanent? "Never know. You never know," Revere said Saturday morning. "Definitely a lot of changes this spring and everything, so if it's permanent, got to be ready for it." Revere began getting ready for the idea on Friday, estimating that he fielded 100 balls either hit by Minor League coaches or fed into a machine. It will be an adjustment for Revere, but he seemed to be taking it well. "I'm ready for it. Just something to help get some guys in the lineup, get some bats in the lineup," Revere said. "If it's something I have to do, I have to do [it.] If they move me back to center, I'll be ready for it. But if I play left, I'll be ready for that, too. "As long as I'm in the lineup, as long as I'm out there trying to help the team win, that's the biggest key for me." If it sticks, the switch would provide more of an opportunity for Herrera, the Phils' Rule 5 Draft pick who has impressed so far this spring. Herrera is hitting .389 with four stolen bases. "Kind of all part of Spring Training, to try some different things and some different possibilities," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Something I wanted to look at. All part of Spring Training." Herrera was lifted for a pinch-runner after reaching on a bunt single in the seventh inning on Saturday. He said afterward that his right knee was sore, but Sandberg said the substitution was precautionary. Before that, both players handled the adjustment well Saturday afternoon. Herrera unleashed a perfect throw to shortstop Freddy Galvis, who made an equally impressive throw home to tag out a runner in the sixth inning. Revere threw out a runner at home in the eighth as well. "Herrera's arm, I think, plays in center field, and I think left field allows Ben's arm to play a little better," Sandberg said. "Overall, the defense we show [is] pretty solid in those two positions with that combination."

Stretching Out – Opening Day is a little more than two weeks away, and Cole Hamels has yet to throw four innings in a Grapefruit League game. It's not that Hamels hasn't built up his pitch count; he just hasn't been able to pitch deep enough into games. Hamels threw 72 pitches in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays at Bright House Field. His pitch limit was 75, so he came out after 3 2/3 innings. The left-hander's velocity is fine, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said, and Hamels said he felt so good that he was "shocked" when Sandberg said it was time to come out of the game. But Hamels and Sandberg said the lefty has some work to do before his fastball command is where it should be. "I felt like it got better. It's nowhere where I expect it to be, but that's what I have to work toward the next two weeks," Hamels said. "That's what I'm going to build up to, is really to be able to focus and be able to get the fastball location down more of the nine out of 10 [times], as opposed to probably where I'm at -- at two out of 10." "Cole threw a lot of pitches for his four innings. He had a lot of deep counts. Not sharp yet with control or command," Sandberg said. "That doesn't allow him to really get to his offspeed stuff in counts where he would like to have it. A lot of pitches in four innings." Of course, Hamels' 7.59 ERA this spring is no indication of the pitcher he is during the regular season. He had a spring ERA of 6.67 in 2011 then went 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA during the season. Sandberg even said there were "no concerns for Cole as far as I'm concerned." But when it comes to preparing for the season, Hamels would obviously like to pitch deeper into games to build up his stamina. "Just want to be able to get out there and get enough up-down innings, which I think is the next step," Hamels said. "I think that would probably be everybody's goal as a starter."

ON THE RECORD:

The Phillies will look to rebound this season from a 73-89 record last year. While uncertainty abounds, there is little question that the franchise is in rebuild mode based on the moves and statements that have been made during the offseason. The only question that remains is whether or not the young and veteran talent on the team can work together to disprove Gillick’s predictions either this year or next.