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Phillies snare experienced gloveman amidst injuries

Switch-hitting utilityman Andres Blanco, 27, opted out of his contract with the Nationals after failing to win a spot on their roster. He has reportedly been assigned to minor league camp.

Beerleaguer: Blanco was a member of both Rangers' World Series teams and appears to be a good, economical fit for the Phillies given the circumstances. From everything I've read, the Rangers thought highly of Blanco's glove and versatility in a way that reminds me of how the Phillies regarded Wilson Valdez for the last two seasons. They have very similar skill sets and resumes as middle infielders who bounced between a couple of different places and could never quite stick.

He's had health issues. A stress fracture in Blanco's back kept him off the Rangers' post-season roster in 2011, a bumpy season in which he hit just .224/.263/.342 in 82 plate appearances. But the season before, he posted a capable .277/.330/.349 for Ron Washington's club. The Rangers, that offseason, tried to convert him into an outfielder and catcher during a winter ball. He made the club as a utilityman and appeared in 11 games as a right field defensive replacement.

Following the season, Blanco's accrued service time and health concerns made him expendable and he was outrighted to the minors. He elected free agency and signed as a non-roster invitee with the Nationals, opting out of his deal when he was informed he wouldn't make the club.

This is a good pick-up. Blanco, a career .255/.301/.333 hitter over 654 plate appearances in parts of six Major League seasons with the Royals, Cubs and Rangers, is no threat to homer or swipe a bag, but should be considered an upgrade over Michael Martinez, who is two years older and less experienced. The Phils will see where he's at, post-back problems, and if they like what they see in Minor League camp, he could work his way up to Philadelphia, just as Valdez did in 2010.

One caveat: Blanco had only two hits in 32 Grapefruit League at-bats for Washington.

Contreras unlikely for opening day: Jose Contreras, and possibly Mike Stutes, could start the season on the disabled list, Jim Salisbury reports. Salisbury reminds readers that Joe Blanton could work out of the bullpen for the first week of the season, which would allow the Phillies to open with six relievers instead of seven. David Herndon, Joe Savery and Raul Valdes are still in the mix for roster spots.

Phils buy into Pierre's allure, add veteran to roster

The Phillies hope Juan Pierre has enough tools remaining from his Florida Marlins glory days to contribute meaningfully to the cause.

Beerleaguer: By now, you've probably read the Phillies announced the purchase of Pierre's Major League contract, worth a guaranteed $800K with incentives. In all likelihood, it's curtains for spring overachiever Scott Podsednik in terms of his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has reportedly not ruled out Podsednik for the final bench spot, but keeping two lefty hitting outfielders with largely identical skill sets would be unorthodox to say the least. So at the end of the day, Pierre will be a Phillie, just as most of us anticipated before all this started, while Podsednik, who does not have an opt out clause, appears to be ready depth. Podsednik's minor role is no small potatoes with a lineup this prone to injury.

That said, it's the Marlins mystique kicking in with Pierre. He was chosen as the best fit for Charlie Manuel's new - and very scary - small-ball initiative. The Phils will tell you that Podsednik is a better bet to line a double to the gap, while Pierre has a better shot to lay down a bunt or lay a soft single over the infield. Manuel hears his team needs a "better approach" and that translates, in his mind, to injecting more banjo hitters with guile. That's Pierre in a nutshell. We'll see how it works, but I can tell you for the last two seasons, the White Sox weren't thrilled.

Here's the bottom line though: Pick Pierre. Pick Podsednik. At the end of the day, it's a marginal difference. Opposing scouts see either one setting the table for the likes of Laynce Nix and Ty Wigginton, while reading how much Manuel has been impressed by Hector Luna this spring, and they'd swear they're observing the Pirates.

* The big debate among scouts ... according to Jayson Stark, interviewed on 97.5 ESPN Radio Thursday, is whether the Phillies will be able to finish second in the National League East.

Game chat: Phillies seek late spring roster clarity

The Phillies play the second to last home game of their Grapefruit League schedule this afternoon against the visiting Rays. First pitch is 1:05 in a game airing on The Comcast Network. Cole Hamels makes his final Florida start and sixth overall. Pete Orr leads off and fills in for Jimmy Rollins at short. Ty Wigginton is a late addition at second as Freddy Galvis is out but expected back shortly. The Phillies will forgo the DH. Jim Thome makes another start at first base as one gets a sense the 41-year-old could be in the Phillies plans at first more than they originally thought. ... In other news, Michael Stutes is reportedly pitching with shoulder soreness and will not make his scheduled appearance Friday. Lefty Joe Savery, who is vying for a roster spot, is scheduled to appear today. Beerleaguer: The Phillies still have work to do assembling all the pieces, especially if Stutes is a no-go to head north.

Phillies sign Thurston, assign him to minors camp

Infielder Joe Thurston, who played in the Phillies organization for two seasons including a pair of starts in left field in 2006, was signed to a minor league deal, according to Jim Salisbury. [Link]

Thurston, a Beerleaguer favorite from ye olden days, was released by Houston earlier this week. The 32-year-old journeyman has passed through the Boston, St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida organizations since his stay with the club ended in 2007. He has the distinct honor of starting in place of both a slumping Pat Burrell and disgruntled Manny Ramirez in left field even though he had never really played the position aside from shagging balls during batting practice. Thurston had an extended stay as the Cardinals starting third baseman during 2009, hitting .225/.316/.330 in 307 plate appearances and making 55 starts in the field. It was his last regular action in the Majors; his last two seasons were spent with the Triple-A affiliates for Atlanta and Florida. In parts of nine seasons at Triple-A, he's a .297/.355/.438 hitter. Thurston will provide depth at either Double-A or Triple-A.

Transactions: More roster cuts. Catcher Erik Kratz was optioned to Triple-A, according to Salisbury's twitter. Utilityman Tim Kennelly was sent back to minor league camp.

Beerleaguers pledge their support to Scotty Pods

Scott Podsednik's walk-off homer against a lefty in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Pirates tipped the scales among readers who have been waivering betwen Podsednik and Juan Pierre for the final outfield spot.

"You have to start with two baseline facts. First, Pods didn't play in the majors last year and was injured most of the season; second, when Pods last played in the majors, he was considerably better than Pierre. The Phillies didn't really need spring training to know what Pierre can do, because he has done the exact same thing two years in a row. They did need to assess where Podsednik stands in relation to his 2010 performance. While spring training can't definitively answer this question, it's enough to say that all of the avaialable evidence suggests that Podsednik is still better than Pierre, just as he was before." -bay_area_phan

"There isn't a single thing that Pierre could do better than Pods this season except, possibly, hit for average. Pods is better on defense, a better base stealer, better OB man and has more power (although that's not saying much.)" - clout

"This bit from Salisbury's 'Phillies' roster puzzle still unfinished' column further indicates Cholly has already made up his mind on Pierre vs. Pods: 'Podsednik has more juice in his bat, but Pierre gets on base more,' manager Charlie Manuel said." Huh? Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Pods got more base hits than Pierre so far in spring training? Cholly appears to think Pierre is still the hitting machine he was in his Marlins days. Podsednik will probably be released in June, since Cholly will still be holding on to Pierre at that point, saying 'he was good last year, he just needs more time.' " - AT

Tuesday: Valdes, Savery survive cuts; Phils host Bucs

Scott Elarton, Brian Sanches and Jake Diekman were assigned to Triple-A, according to Twitter reports, leaving Raul Valdes and Joe Savery among the last men standing. (US Presswire Photo)

Beerleaguer: I'd be surprised if either one survives the final cut over David Herndon. It doesn't sound from reports like a second lefty is mission critical, and a lot depends on how many relievers they take north. Michael Stutes isn't necessarily etched in stone either; Herndon outpitched Stutes in the second half of last season. Elarton's a nice spring story, but the big sinkerballer would need to be completely dialed in with his command for the Phillies to even consider him; he finished with a 9/7 K/BB. Sanches failed to differentiate himself and faces an uphill battle to climb back to the bigs - bad career move signing here. Diekman needs more time to develop his secondary stuff.

Between Valdes and Savery, Valdes holds the edge in big league experience, while Savery is already part of the 40-man roster. It's a push (and it's not all that compelling.)

Game chat: The Phillies host the Pirates at 1:05 in a game airing on The Comcast Network. It's Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Pence RF, Thome 1B, Nix LF, Orr SS, Schneider C, Galvis 2B. Pete Orr at short and Jim Thome at first are the two stories there. Orr could be working his way onto the Opening Day roster just as he did a season ago. Cliff Lee toes the slab. John Mayberry, who has amassed 67 plate appearances, is available off the bench. He's really scuffled, hitting just .206.

Phillies blanked for the fourth time this spring

Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the Red Sox's 6-0 victory over a lineup of mostly Phillies starters. Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, Ty Wigginton, John Mayberry and Carlos Ruiz were among the Phils held hitless. Joe Blanton took the loss and allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings.

Monday: Dissecting the big Ramiro Pena rumor

If you believe the Phillies are trying to offset the loss of Michael Martinez, and not necessarily Chase Utley, than look no further than Tampa, Fla., training ground for this Mini Mart clone.

George A. King III of the New York Post reported Sunday that the Phillies have interest in Ramiro Pena, a 26-year-old all-glove, no-bat switch hitter specializing in shortstop, third and second. Pena, who sprained his right ankle on Thursday while stealing a bag but is expected to be fine, has played in parts of three seasons for the Yankees between 2009-11, starting 79 games at third, short and second. For his career, he is a .233/.266/.288 hitter in 334 plate appearances. He's arbitration eligible next season.

Beerleaguer: This is the first report I've seen linking the Phillies to a particular infielder; every other report has been speculative (Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Chris Getz, etc.) If accurate, it's telling. It tells me they're looking to manage expectations; they're looking for someone to start the season on the bench behind Freddy Galvis, the way Mini Mart would have, with no guarantees beyond that. Secondly, this person has to be dirt cheap.

Watch: Ailing Utley explains condition, out for opener

Additional answers can be found here, including why he waited until last week to see the specialist. Utley confirmed chrondomalacia, which is irritation underneath the surface of the knee cap.

Sunday chat: Phillies split as Thome grabs a glove

Jim Thome last stood at first base as a regular almost seven years ago. The Phils will continue to assess whether it's even a remote possibility in the home half of a split squad game beginning at 1:05.

Beerleaguer: Gentleman Jim doesn't necessarily have the spring stats to support this (.273/.360/.318), but from what I've seen on TV, the ball has been jumping off his bat. The lineup, sans Ryan Howard, would look a lot better with Thome's presence in the middle of it. It's a temptation Charlie Manuel must balance along with the rest of the lineup juggling act.

It's a job that could get even harder. The Phillies are reportedly putting out feelers for infield depth while the Giants have reportedly let teams know they're open to dealing infielders Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot. The Phillies should take a hard look, but I'd be inclined to see where Freddy Galvis takes them as a starter. The whole reason Fontenot and Theriot are being shopped is the Giants think they can get more for less with younger players (Emmanuel Burriss, Brandon Crawford, Joaquin Arias). The aging Phillies should follow suit; youth should be the tiebreaker. There's little doubt the Phils should add depth, but Galvis, who homered yesterday, has earned the right to start.

Lineup vs. Orioles: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Thome 1B, Mayberry CF, Montanez LF, Ruiz C, Clevlen RF, Galvis 2B, Halladay P. This is Placido Polanco's first game back since injuring his ring finger. Outfielder Brent Clevlen played parts of four seasons with the Tigers and Braves and spent last season in Double-A Reading. Outfielder Brandon Tripp and infielder Albert Cartwright, who came to the Phillies in the big Sergio Escalona trade (Escalona out for the year with elbow surgery BTW), are among the extra men. ... Scott Elarton starts against the Tigers. ... Chase Utley is expected to address the media today. I'll post the video when it becomes available.

Breaking: Madson to undergo Tommy John surgery

Terrible news for former Phillie and current Red Ryan Madson. According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the right-hander will undergo Tommy John surgery after the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow was found to be “torn off the bone.” Madson had reportedly agreed on a $44 million contract to stay with the Phillies before it fell through and the Phils signed Jonathon Papelbon for $50 million. Madson, a Scott Boras client, settled on a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Reds, hoping he could cash in on a better deal next winter. As for the Reds, the reporter who broke the story for the Enquirer says via twitter the Reds do not have insurance on Madson's contract. Beerleaguer: Tough, tough break for the man who really became the face of the Phillies' bullpen for almost a decade.

Saturday chat: Phils' skeleton crew visits Fort Myers

How's this for a starting infield: Laynce Nix, first base; Pete Orr, third base; Freddy Galvis, second base; Miguel Abreu, shortstop.

Beerleaguer: Indeed, and if you're like me, you're wondering "Who is Miguel Abreu?" He's appeared several times this spring late in ballgames, smacking a deep double in Friday's loss. I assumed he was just another errand boy like Troy Hanzawa summoned to pinch run for Jim Thome and the like. And that's 100 percent true, but it turns out that Abreu is brand new to the Phillies' organization. He signed as a minor league free agent earlier this month after spending seven seasons in the Baltimore farm system.

The strangest part is that Abreu has only played shortstop, at the minor league level, four times, which makes him a pro next to Galvis, who has never registered a game at second in his minor league career. Crazy how that works out. It brings to mind those two games when Joe Thurston started in left field in place of a struggling Pat Burrell twice in late 2006. Thurston landed the temporary gig after Charlie Manuel was impressed by how Thurston shagged down balls during warm-ups. In any event, Abreu, like uber-utilityman Tim Kennelly, is up because of all the infield attrition. He's a .265/.293/.382 hitter with most of his time coming at single-A.

In other news, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Vance Worley will pitch the opening series in Pittsburgh, setting up Cole Hamels to pitch the home opener. Meanwhile, CSNPhilly.com is reporting that Chase Utley returned to Clearwater Friday, albeit briefly. … Finally, Twitter reports say Jim Thome will get his first chance to start at first base in a Grapefruit League game tomorrow.

Pierre has edge? Todd Zolecki suggests that Juan Pierre may have the edge over Scott Podsednik in the fifth outfielder race. He also lists Lou Montanez as a candidate; he's had a good spring and bats from the right side.

Lineups: Aside from the infield, the rest of the Phillies' lineup isn't quite as skeletal. Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, Carlos Ruiz, John Mayberry and Pierre (DH) are also in the lineup. Hamels starts. First pitch is 1:35 ET.

Friday: Goodbye, Brown. See you in September

Twitter reports say the Phillies optioned Domonic Brown to Triple-A, which is where he will likely spend the rest of the season learning left field.

Brown, 24, went 6-for-20 (.300/.333/.650) with a homer and a pair of triples in early Grapefruit League play, but his bat was overshadowed by continued blunders in left field, in addition to minor neck and thumb soreness that knocked him out of action. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has stated that Brown would ideally spend an entire season tightening the screws roaming left field in Lehigh Valley, and with John Mayberry, Laynce Nix and either Scott Podsednik or Juan Pierre expected to share left field, there’s simply no room for Brown to get the playing time he requires. Amaro has previously lamented the decision to push Brown to the majors before he was ready. Last season with the club, he hit .245/.333/.391 with five home runs in 210 plate appearances, manning right field before the trade for Hunter Pence.

Beerleaguer: Brown's blunders and injuries were a blessing in disguise. The Phillies won’t succumb to Brown temptation for the foreseeable future. He isn’t ready to field his position, and that's a must on this team.

Keep Blanton? I keep reading how the Phillies have shied away from shopping Joe Blanton, who has looked sharp. On one hand, Blanton’s value may never be higher. He’s reportedly been sharp, and his season – a contract year – appears to be full of promise. On the other hand, I can see why they’d want to keep him, and it has everything to do with Kyle Kendrick. The Phillies may not be able to afford to move Kendrick out of the bullpen and into the rotation. Someone needs to soak up the extra innings. Guys like Jose Contreras and Antonio Bastardo are one-inning guys, or less, and need to be monitored. Chad Qualls is a one-inning guy. David Herndon and Michael Stutes might give you two innings, but they’re both on the bubble to even make the club. The Phillies could start the season with a six-man bullpen because of all the positional uncertainty. That means all the second lefty hopefuls will be pushed aside and they’ll chose between Herndon and Stutes.

Minors: Biddle bombed; Franco goes deep twice

Minor league games are underway, and as usual, daily recaps are available on the Lakewood Blueclaws Blog. Here’s a short summary from this week.

Left-hander Jesse Biddle, considered by some the best prospect in the Phillies’ chain, allowed eight runs (might have been only six - unclear) on eight hits, including a grand slam, in Clearwater’s 12-4 loss in Tampa. Biddle’s first start was a success, however, pitching three no-hit innings Friday, followed by two shutout relief innings by Lisalberto Bonilla. Bonilla, considered the 12th best prospect in the Phillies’ system, according to Baseball America, also pitched a shutout inning on Monday. … Meanwhile, third baseman Maikel Franco hit a pair of round-trippers in Clearwater’s loss Wednesday. Franco, the 10th best prospect according to BA, figures start the season in Low-A Lakewood.

Game chat: Polly still mending, Contreras to appear

Notes: Placido Polanco aims to return to the Phillies' lineup by the end of the weekend, reports CSNPhilly's John Finger, while Jose Contreras hopes for better results in his second Grapefruit League appearance this afternoon as the Phillies travel to nearby Dunedin to take on the Blue Jays. First pitch is 1:05 EST. Lineups are posted: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Wigginton 3B, Nix LF, Mayberry 1B, Ruiz C, Pierre DH, Galvis 2B. J

By the numbers: John Mayberry Jr., the team's plate appearance leader, has started slow offensively (.213/.260/.298), but to his credit, has struck out just four times. Meanwhile, Laynce Nix is seeking his first extra base hit of spring. Freddy Galvis is tied for second in the Grapefruit League with 11 RBIs. Phillies' pitchers have issued the fewest walks in all of baseball (44) and have the fourth-most strikeouts (156). Aside from that, the Phillies are in the middle of the pack in virtually every offensive and pitching category.

Infield options: The Inquirer's Matt Gelb identifies a couple of infield alternatives that could shake loose from other clubs in the coming days. See them here.

Poll: Who is the Phillies' biggest threat in the East?

While the Phillies enjoy a camp-wide off day, let's turn our attention to the rest of the division, where we find that the Washington Nationals have confirmed that Stephen Strasburg will be their Opening Day starter, this following an outstanding outing Tuesday in a loss to the Mets. In Marlins camp, ace Josh Johnson reached 96 mph on the radar gun in his latest start, offsetting the uncertainty surrounding Giancarlo Stanton's return to action. Meanwhile, Jair Jurrjens allowed seven runs in five innings in a 7-2 loss to the Tigers Tuesday. The Braves are also holding an audition at shortstop between Tyler Pastornicky and Andrelton Simmons. Finally, here's your Mets update: they're 4-11, last in the Grapefruit League.

Breaking news: Mini-Mart suffers broken bone in foot

The Phillies took another injury hit to their infield Tuesday afternoon, losing utilityman Michael Martinez to a broken fourth metatarsal on the right foot, reports John Finger for CSNPhilly.com. [Link]

Martinez was struck by a Jim Johnson pitch in the seventh inning of the Phillies' 4-1 win over the Orioles. Finger points out that athletes who've suffered the injury typically miss four-to-six weeks. The injury leaves Pete Orr as the top utilityman in camp capable of backing up multiple spots in the infield, including shortstop in a real pinch, although he hasn't played the position in the Majors since 2008. The setback also raises Hector Luna's stock, although he's ideally suited as a corner infielder. The Phillies also assigned Kevin Frandsen to minor league camp today. They may need to reconsider that.

Beerleaguer: No doubt about it: They need to swing a deal - that was true before this injury, and before the Chase Utley announcement, too. Ruben Amaro Jr. says they're fine. They're not. I brought up second baseman Blake Dewitt a while back. The Angels and Royals may have a couple of extra men, I've read. Something. Anything at this point, really. Note that Joe Blanton pitched well again today in a minor league game ...

Clout Day a time for Phillies to get down to business

It's March 20, which means it's Clout Day on Beerleaguer, marking the unofficial date when it's acceptable to draw educated conclusions based on what we've seen so far in Camp Clearwater.

Update (10:50 a.m.): Prior to today's game, the Phillies optioned right-handers Michael Schwimer and Phillippe Aumont to minor league camp and also reassigned left-handers David Purcey and Jeremy Horst.

Beerleaguer: Frankly, Clout Day came early for the Phillies as they've already cut ties with Dontrelle Willis, Joel Pineiro and began the process of preparing Freddy Galvis for second base well over a week ago. There's still a lot to learn about this club, with openings in the bullpen, infield and outfield. The battle to become the second loogy has become an interesting dance between Joe Savery, Raul Valdes, Jake Diekman, and to a lesser extent, David Purcey and Jeremy Horst. The Phillies would need to add Valdes, who has been sharp, to the 40-man roster. Now that Galvis appears to be a lock at second, how will the Phillies fill the utility role? In the outfield, Scott Podsednik has outperformed Juan Pierre, but Pierre's contract situation gives him a logistical edge. We also saw an ESPN report yesterday that the Phils are hunting for a back-up catcher.

Clout Day happens to fall on what is sure to be a heavily scrutinized start by Roy Halladay, who hasn't been nearly as sharp as we're accustomed to seeing. Halladay and the B-Team Phillies travel to Sarasota to face the Orioles today, where the Phillies will also monitor Ty Wigginton (1B) Kevin Frandsen (3B) and Michael Martinez (SS). Each utility man has struggled defensively.

Your new starting second baseman lifts Phillies 4-3

Phillies 4, Tigers 3: In an unprecidented move, Freddy Galvis is lined up to become the Phillies' opening day second baseman, having never played in the Majors, and having never registered so much as an inning at the position in the minor leagues. I dare anyone to find out whether that's ever happened before. Considered by some to be the best defensive shortstop in the entire minor leagues, it was the 22-year-old's bat, a two-run, game-tying triple, that proved to be the Phillies' biggest hit in their 4-3 victory over the Tigers Monday afternoon.

Beerleaguer: It's been a dark day for some, but look on the bright side. The Phillies are replacing Chase Utley with a wide-eyed, young defensive prodigy who understands the game and will be playing a position where the Phillies need a gloveman first and foremost. It's also an interesting study on what really matters in terms of talent. Here's an all-glove, no-hit player in Galvis handed the keys to second base. Then there's Domonic Brown, an all-bat, no-glove baseball adonis who may never make it, even at the game's easiest position.

Amaro's bad day continues as Phillies cut Pineiro

Right-hander Joel Pineiro joins fellow "low-risk, high-reward" signing Dontrelle Willis on the unemployment line as the team continues to face pressing concerns in the infield.

Pineiro, 33, went 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA in 27 games with the Angels last season, signing a minor league contract with the Phillies this off-season. A former Dave Duncan project with the Cardinals, Piniero's stuff has fallen off sharply since his days in St. Louis, including his trademark sinker, and he lost his spot in the Angels rotation last season. Pineiro, whose exit might have been brought on by encouraging springs by both Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick, was perhaps the highest touted of the Phillies' swath of minor league signings, a group that includes Juan Pierre, who appears to be trailing Scott Podsednik in the fifth outfielder race. The news comes on the day when the Phillies sent Chase Utley away for treatment on his ailing knee. Rumors of the Phillies' mad scramble for infield help continue.

Utley leaves camp as Phillies issue grim statement

Here’s the news release from Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. …

“Chase's rehab process has come to a bit of a plateau. He has made some strides but not enough to take the field. He is headed out of town for a few days to be evaluated by a specialist that has helped athletes overcome his issue. We anticipate that this trip will allow him to build on what he has already done with Scott Sheridan in order to get over the hump. He wants more than anything to be on the field with his teammates and we believe that this is a step in that direction.”

Beerleaguer: It’s difficult not to consider this the beginning of the end for Chase Utley as we know him, or as we once knew him in 2007 and 2008. Realistically speaking, it all started to unravel last spring leading into a 46-game absense and a middling performance the rest of the season.

The old days of fielding a lineup of superstars are over. On April 5, the Phillies will have nobody in their lineup who will cause opposing managers to take pause. Pitching has been the team's identity for two seasons. Utley, alone, is a survivable injury, but when you add in Ryan Howard's situation ... it gets dicy. Howard has the power to singlehandedly win ballgames. Utley hasn't been that player for two years.

Be that as it may, the Phillies need to make a trade for help at second base, no matter how much they like Freddy Galvis. He's not the long-term answer.

And neither is Utley.

Sunday chat: Focus on the remaining regulars

The Phillies can’t control the Chase Utley and Ryan Howard situations and need to move forward and prepare the players who will open the season as starters.

Tuesday is “Clout Day” on Beerleaguer, an arbitrarily assigned date marking the approximate time in which the exhibition schedule switches from “practice mode” to a fair representation of what one can expect when the regular season opens April 5. As of March 20, observations and lineup configurations count, and to a certain extent, so does performance. We’re hoping for some clarity on the Utley situation this week. Can Howard take a step foward in his recovery? Roy Halladay, who hasn’t been himself in three starts, takes another turn. That's another headache the Phillies don't need.

Meanwhile, there’s been an untold story this spring: many of the remaining regulars have been solid. Jimmy Rollins turned on a Brandon Morrow fastball Saturday and took it downtown for his second tater of spring. Placido Polanco, until leaving with a jammed ring finger, resembled the high-average hitter of early last season. Carlos Ruiz looks good, while offensive anchors Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino appear to be in terrific shape. John Mayberry Jr. has played a ton, but hasn’t produced much offensively as the focus has been tightening the screws defensively at a number of positions. As for the pitching, there’ve been no real worries on top of a couple of real positives, including terrific showings by Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick. The Phils must know that now is the time to move Blanton, with the hope they can parlay Blanton into infield help.

And speaking of the infield, Freddy Galvis has gained my respect as a Major League ready defender with developing situational tools at the plate. Yesterday, he showcased his small ball instincts with a perfectly executed bunt, following up by muscling one out to left field on a ball down and away.

Meanwhile, Scott Podsednik continues to make a strong case for making the team, and I like what I’ve seen from Hector Luna, who could possibly help the Phillies in a reserve role down the road.

Phillies cut Willis, search for second lefty continues

The Phillies released left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis on Friday morning, according to CSNPhilly.com. [Link]

Beerleaguer: The D-Train has left the station. Next stop: Camden. The 30-year-old left-hander, who was signed to a non-guaranteed contract, was trying to win a spot in the Phillies' bullpen as a second left-hander, but the erratic control that derailed his career for the last four seasons was as prevalent as ever. From the report, Willis limited lefties to a .127 average in three appearances, but gave up five runs in just 2.2 innings. He pitched Thursday, gave up a lead-off walk but worked out of trouble. Nevertheless, it was clear to anyone who watched him this spring that he couldn't help this bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Phillies will continue to test the remaining lefties, including Raul Valdes, David Purcey, Jeremy Horst, Joe Savery and rising young left-hander Jake Diekman, who has seven strikeouts in three innings. Savery and Diekman are part of the 40-man roster. All have pitched effectively.

Beerleaguer for breakfast: A sluggish spring for Raul

What stands out about Raul Ibanez right now, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post, “is not just that he is 2-for-24. It is that the ball is coming off of his bat with little life.” [Story]

Beerleaguer: To my recollection, Ibanez always looked horrible in spring training. Actually, 2009 might have been his worst spring, then he went gangbusters over the first two months of the season. He’s a different player now. He's 39, no longer a full-timer and no longer viewed as a capable left fielder. He’ll cheat for a fastball more than anyone. Sherman reports that Ibañez has been working with hitting coach Kevin Long on eliminating some of the movement in his swing. But much of Ibanez's success, and failure, this season will be predicated on the hitters around him. He was signed for just $1.1 million, so don’t expect the Yankees to stay as loyal as they have with their other ancient pinstripe lifers.

Today at Bradenton vs. Pirates: 1. Juan Pierre, RF; 2. Scott Podsednik, CF; 3. Hunter Pence, DH; 4. John Mayberry Jr., 1B; 5. Lou Montanez, LF; 6. Pete Orr, 3B; 7. Brian Schneider, C; 8. Kevin Frandsen, 2B; 9. Freddy Galvis, SS. Cliff Lee starts.

Game chat: Phillies split for games with Braves, Rays

Joe Blanton and a lineup of mostly regulars stay back for their first look at Jair Jurrjens and the rival Braves beginning at 1:05 in a game televised on The Comcast Network. Meanwhile, Joel Piniero makes his first official start of spring in Port Charlotte against the host Rays, also beginning at 1:05. Scott Podsednik (LF) and Freddy Galvis (2B) are noteworthy additions to the home lineup. John Mayberry Jr. plays first base, with Jim Thome serving as designated hitter. Dontrelle Willis will work out of the A-Team bullpen. Scott Elarton follows Piniero against the Rays. Laynce Nix is still reportedly coping with sore ribs.

Thursday: Doc becomes latest Camp Panic casualty

A pair of scouting sources for FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal have “expressed concern Wednesday about (Roy Halladay’s) lack of velocity and sharpness in Grapefruit League play.”

Beerleaguer: The paranoia, and fear of the “big” injury, is getting out of hand (says the spokesperson for Beerleaguer: epicenter of Phillies fear). Remember when spring training was just spring training and it was okay for guys like Roy Halladay to throw dogsh*t fastballs to minor league opponents in exhibition play? Or when Chase Utley saved his legs for games that counted in the standings? Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. downplayed concerns over Doc’s velocity, but reportedly offered that “Halladay does not look like the same pitcher as he has in previous springs.” Read the full story here.

Expect this issue to bubble up between now and Halladay’s next tune up. Anytime you question the immortality of the Big Three, particularly the ace of aces, panic will ensue.

Phils make first cuts, stack the lineup in Clearwater

Veteran right-hander Dave Bush was among the nine players optioned or reassigned to minor league camp prior to today's game.

Beerleaguer: The others: left-hander Pat Misch, right-handers Austin Hyatt, J.C. Ramirez and B.J. Rosenberg, infielder Cesar Hernandez, catcher Sabastian Valle and outfielder Tyson Gillies. Gillies got a lot of looks in the outfield and was reportedly sharp defensively, but ultimately collected only three hits in 23 plate appearances (.143/.217). Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. maintained that Gillies has a future in the Majors and has been hurt by a lack of development time. As for Bush, what can you say? There isn't much there anymore. At best, he and Pat Misch find a way to stick in the Triple-A rotation, show consistency and are called up in an emergency. Ramirez will be rededicated as a reliever, and I haven't seen how they'll use Rosenberg.

In truth, the story here is the players who made the cut, including Scott Elarton and Jake Diekman. Typically, the Phils hang on to their left-handed relievers until later in camp. They're all still around actually: Dave Purcey, Raul Valdes, Joe Savery, Jeremy Horst.

Here's today's lineup: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Wigginton 1B, Mayberry LF, Brown DH, Ruiz C, Galvis 2B. It's noteworthy since this could be the "best" available configuration.

Remember when Polly was supposed to offer utility?

Well whaddya know? The Phillies are reportedly seeking versatile infield help. Beerleaguer recalls how Placido Polanco was supposed to slide into a super utility role toward the end of his contract.

Even before Ryan Howard collapsed in a heap, the Phillies’ biggest problem was an aging and declining infield that couldn’t stay on the field. There was no doubt the Phillies needed to escalate the situation by making infield an offseason focus. Not only did they downplay the need, the Phils exacerbated it by dealing away their most capable utility option in Wilson Valdez.

Give the Phillies credit in this regard: they were diligent in addressing first base in a cost effective way. They acquired Jim Thome and Ty Wigginton cheaply, productive players with no expectations at the position beyond filling in for Howard.

Be that as it may, how long have we been saying the Phillies need better infield depth, better than Valdez, capable of starting over an extended period of time? Polanco was supposed to be that guy. Here’s someone who won the Gold Glove at second base the year before signing back with the Phillies, at a time when the Phillies already recognized a need to dial back Chase Utley’s playing time. Fast forward to 2012, the final year of Polly’s deal. Second base was a lifetime ago.

Polanco: a nice player for sure, but the latest in a long lne of aging players who got one year too many from this particular Phillies regime.

Game chat: Roy Halladay and the Phillies host the Twins at Bright House Field beginning at 1:05.

Sunday chat: Phils split as Blanton stirs speculation

Cliff Lee and the Phillies host the Tigers in Clearwater while Kyle Kendrick and the B Team travel to Tampa for a tilt with the Yankees. Meanwhile, a pitching-deprived AL squad reportedly peeked in on the Phillies Saturday.

Beerleaguer: The Toronto Star reported that Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos made the short trip from Dunedin to Clearwater to scout right-hander Joe Blanton, who was solid in his second spring tune-up. The Phillies and Blue Jays have been one of baseball's tightest bedfellows over the years when it comes to trades, and Blanton is no stranger to the rumor mill, having reportedly been shopped for the past three winters. The Boston Globe has reported the Phillies may be willing to kick in as much as $2 million of Blanton's remaining $8.5 million contract, suggesting the Phils could use extra money to lure Roy Oswalt back to Philadelphia.

But the Phillies may have more pressing needs, namely an injection of positional youth. We've heard they'd love to figure out a way to reacquire catcher Travis d'Arnaud, a front office favorite who was reluctantly packaged in the Roy Halladay trade. The Blue Jays are deep at catcher, with 26-year-old J.P. Arencibia coming off a year in which he belted 23 homers and knocked in 78 in 486 plate appearances. D'Arnaud, who dominated the Eastern League, is considered their top prospect.

The Jays have depth in other areas, too, including the infield where shortstop Yunel Escobar is another player being pushed by a prospect. Escobar, who may need to be moved to second, had a bounce back season, hitting .290/.369/.413.

I'll toss the name of our own blocked prospect - Freddy Galvis - into this mix just to stoke the flames.

Notes: Expect to see a few Phillies to make their debuts today as the rosters are stretched between Clearwater and Tampa. Outfielder Jiwan James is among the extras available against the Tigers in a game that will air on PHL 17.

Saturday: Phils test Rollins-Galvis double play combo

Freddy Galvis starts at second alongside Jimmy Rollins when the Phillies host the Orioles at Bright House Field. First pitch is 1:07 p.m.

Beerleaguer: Galvis, one of the bright spots for the Phillies this spring, tastes his first action as a starting second baseman as the Phils are once again without the services of Chase Utley. Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer is on top of the Utley situation, writing that he's not only been held out of game action, but that he's rarely been seen taking infield practice. Hopefully, the delayed stars by Utley - which the Phillies maintain is by design - and Ryan Howard prove to be a blessing in disguise and that the Phils can hold down the fort until June-ish. At the very least, it opens the door to see what Galvis and others are made of. The 22-year-old prospect is hitting .357 with a pair of doubles in 15 plate appearances.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Polanco, 3B, Victorino CF, Thome DH, Pence RF, Wigginton 1B, Mayberry LF, Galvis SS, Gosewisch C, Blanton P. John Mayberry leads the Phillies in plate appearances (17). Scott Elarton is expected to follow Joe Blanton, who was sharp in his debut.

Friday: ‘Divine’ Halladay tunes up in Lakeland

Beerleaguers spent the last 24 hours reminding one another of Roy Halladay’s greatness. He’s on the hill this afternoon against the Tigers.

In supporting his claim that 90 wins will be easily achievable for the Phillies, one reader cited the Phillies’ incredible winning percentage the last two seasons in games started by Doc (22-11 in 2010, 24-8 in 2011, combined .708 winning percentage). “I remember there were a few people that were skeptical of Halladay being able to live up to his Christ-like billing when he was traded here,” one reader responded. “As far as I'm concerned, it has already been confirmed: he is, in fact, Jesus Christ.”

Many of the Phillies’ regulars remained back in Clearwater. Gillies CF, Podsednik LF, Wigginton 1B, Pence RF, Nix DH, Ruiz C, Luna 3B, Orr 2B, Galvis SS. Clearly, the Phils are holding wide open auditions in left field and at second to determine the final bench spots.

Handicappers still see Phils as runaway NL favorites

Why worry? Sports books have the Phillies pegged for around 95 wins, well ahead of their improved division rivals. Hall-of-fame Beerleaguer MG offers his insights.

“In games started by the big three (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels), the Phillies were a combined 64-31 (.673) last season. Even if the offense does struggle a bit (my bet is that they fall somewhere between sixth and eight in the National League in runs scored), it is hard to believe the Phils wouldn't be able to win at least at a .600 clip with them on the mound. Probably closer to .650. That's roughly 60 wins right there. They’ll just need to find a way to scrap together another 30 wins in order to hit 90.” - MG

Beerleaguer: From the books cited in the story above, the Phils are priced at 17-to-10 to win the National League and 5-to-1 to win the World Series. They're the only NL team available at less than 15-to-1 odds to win it all.

However, the baseball handicapper cited in the piece wasn't convinced. “The Phillies, I think, are a little overpriced,” he said. "Everyone is still in love with them, but they haven’t really upgraded. When I drew up my futures, mine looked a lot different than what the books put up.”

The article sets the over/under at 93.5 wins.

In progress: Hamels sharp in second spring start

Cole Hamels' afternoon ended after 50-plus pitches worth of shutout ball, going 3 2-3 innings before giving way to Dave Bush to complete the fourth. Hamels, whose change-up was on the mark, would have completed the inning if not for a Ty Wigginton two-out error. Wigginton contributed the game's first run on a two-run double. Through four, the Phillies lead 1-0.

Cost-cutting moves may have sold Phillies short

The issue: Wilson Valdez and Ben Francisco were shipped out because the Phillies felt they could replace them internally for less. The severity of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley’s injuries could test that theory.

The Phillies have trumpeted an improved bench, but one can’t help but wonder if all the new parts will fit exactly how they were intended. Ryan Howard's Achilles is still stuffed inside a walking boot and there is no real indication that Chase Utley will take the field anytime soon. John Mayberry Jr., who starts at first again today, has seen the lion’s share of time at that position. Considering his tools and approved numbers against righties, all signs point toward Mayberry earning something closer to an all-out first base assignment rather than a platoon. That could have something to do with freeing up Ty Wigginton for second base; Wigginton gets the start at second today.

With Mayberry and Wigginton possibly tied up in the infield, and with Jim Thome ideally suited to pinch hit in big situations, the Phillies could be left with Michael Martinez as the lone utility option and no right-handed hitting option for left field. Laynce Nix can’t hit lefties, and nobody really knows how much Scott Podsednik or Juan Pierre have left in the tank.

Which brings us back to the original question: did the Phillies sell themselves short when they traded away Wilson Valdez and Ben Francisco?

Willis, Phillies take a 10-3 beating from Astros

Dontrelle Willis couldn’t make it out of the sixth inning in another less-than-inspiring Grapefruit League showing.

Willis began his inning with a walk and matters escalated from there as the Astros worked the veteran lefty for four runs on three hits and a pair of walks, chasing him after 2-3 innings. Afterward, Willis told reporters that he’s battling fatigue. It certainly showed. Many of Willis’ pitches were nowhere close to the strike zone and anyone who observed the game live or on television could recognize he didn’t have it. After two games, he’s lugging a 27.00 ERA.

The rest of the staff wasn’t much better. Vance Worley, who took the loss, allowed five hits in his two innings, although a couple of them were dinks and dunks. The Astros tallied 15 hits, including another five against lefty Pat Misch. The Phils salvaged late runs with a Lou Montanez two-run double and a Hector Luna solo home run.

Stock watch: Scott Podsednik, who has impressed this individual, doubled and walked, raising his spring average to .500 (4-for-8, three doubles, two walks).

Game chat: Phillies host Astros seeking third-straight

Vance Worley debuts, and a handful of relievers, including Jonathan Papelbon, Dontrelle Willis and Chad Qualls, make their second appearances of spring when the Phillies host the Astros beginning at 1:05 from Bright House Field. The game will air on The Comcast Network. Left-hander Pat Misch, a non-roster invitee and veteran of parts of six seasons with the Giants and Mets, also makes his Phillies debut. The hometown nine trots out a relatively full lineup: Rolllins SS, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Thome DH, Mayberry 1B, Nix LF, Frandsen 3B, Kratz C, Martinez 2B. This is Laynce Nix's first start in left. Willis and Qualls will try to rebound from shaky debuts Saturday. Other than that, the Phillies' pitching staff has looked strong, including seven pitchers combining on a seven-hitter in Tuesday's 7-0 win over Toronto.

Salisbury: Hamels' agent to spend week in Clearwater

Negotiations between the Phillies and pitcher Cole Hamels are heating up, according to CSNPhilly.com insider Jim Salisbury, who reports that John Boggs, Cole Hamels’ representative from JBASports in San Diego, is spending the week in the Clearwater area and has already met with Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Salisbury says Boggs traveled to Dunedin and is in attendance for today's Phillies-Blue Jays tilt. Bribes can be sent to this address.

Game chat: Dinged-up Nix will DH, Chooch starts

Beerleaguer has wondered why Laynce Nix has seen so little action in the early going. Turns out, the newly acquired outfielder has been bothered by a pulled groin.

Beerleaguer: The Phillies obviously hold Nix in high regard, signing the free agent outfielder to a two-year, $2.5 million deal through 2013, which seems a little superfluous considering they have a pair of lefty hitting veterans in Juan Pierre and Scott Podsednik who were signed to minor league deals, with Domonic Brown ticketed for 2013 if he can ever figure out how to field. Nix has the ability to back leg some balls, but there's also an expectation that he can fill all three outfield positions, if needed. The fact that he's DH-ing is good news, but the Phillies will need to see what the 31-year-old can offer defensively at some point.

Meanwhile, Cliff Lee toes the slab for the first time this spring, while Carlos Ruiz sees his first action behind the dish. They'll go Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Victorino CF, Wigginton 1B, Mayberry RF, Nix DH, Luna 3B, Ruiz, C, Martinez 2B. John Mayberry gets his first work in the outfield. Hector Luna makes his first start at third.

Monday's notes: Joe Blanton looked sharp. Scott Elarton was a nice surprise and physically appears to be in pretty good shape. The 6-7 right-hander is your classic Phillies reclamation project.

Game chat: Road back begins for Blanton, Polanco

Joe Blanton's last real start occurred May 14 before he succumbed to season ruining elbow problems. The 31-year-old right-hander takes his turn in Clearwater opposite the Yankees beginning at 1:05 p.m.

When healthy, Blanton, who has been shopped in three straight off-seasons, has battled inconsistency, mixing good months and high strikeout rates with bad months in which he's been hittable. In four seasons with the club, he’s 26-16 with a 4.43 ERA, with his most complete effort occurring in 2009. Blanton, who is favored to win the fifth starter job if he isn’t moved, told CSNPhilly.com in February that he’s been throwing all winter, pain free, and is optimistic he can stay healthy all season. We'll see if any scouts are in attendence. … Meanwhile, Placido Polanco gets his first Grapefruit League start as he tries to rebound from a double sports hernia.

The Phillies’ lineup looks like this: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Thome DH, Pence RF, Wigginton 1B, Brown LF, Schneider C, Frandsen 2B. The Kevin Frandsen watch is on, while Domonic Brown has gobbled up every starting opportunity in left.

Before you write another word about Mini Mart …

… Todd Zolecki reports the Phillies have begun the process of teaching Freddy Galvis second and third base, “making him a potential option as a utility infielder.”

“It is unclear if Galvis will play any games at those positions during the Grapefruit League schedule,” Zolecki writes in the wake of a two-error afternoon by Michael Martinez at second base. Martinez is considered the front-runner to head north as the Phillies’ utility man capable of backing up Jimmy Rollins at short, while Galvis is expected to return to Lehigh Valley for regular playing time. But Phillies’ officials continue to hint that Galvis’ time is coming.

Still, Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel was unfazed by Mini Mart’s tough afternoon in Tampa, telling Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com “He had a rough day, but it was only the second game we’ve played. At the same time, you’d like to catch those balls. … Michael did a good job defensively for us last season. One off day doesn’t mean he can’t play defense.”

Beerleaguer: The Phillies are crazy for treating Mini Mart like an incumbent. He's not a Rule 5 success story worth touting. He's deceptively old. He’s no better than average defensively at any position and the entire package is well below replacement level. The fact that he can run around the outfield does nothing for me. Even the best defenders need to hit. Meanwhile, Galvis is your reigning Phillies minor league player of the year and blocked at short for the next three seasons. The Phillies field Faberge eggs at second and third. I’d love to see the Phillies give young Freddy an accelerated education.

Be that as it may, here's an early prediction: Galvis heads to minor league camp in a few weeks while Martinez, Kevin Frandsen and Pete Orr battle until final cuts. Frandsen sneaks onto the team when the Phillies realize they mostly need a righty pinch hitter with infield credentials.

Sunday chat: Gillies earns a start as Doc debuts

Tyson Gillies sets the table and starts in center this afternoon at 1 p.m. as the Phillies visit the Yankees in Tampa. Roy Halladay gets the nod.

Gillies, who has barely been healthy enough to stay on the field in the two years since coming to the Phillies, is hoping to build the same level of excitement that surrounds fellow Cliff Lee kid Phillippe Aumont. The 23-year-old outfielder had one of the best at bats in yesterday's loss, roping an opposite-field RBI double against a left-handed pitcher. Gillies figures to see plenty of action this spring until the Phillies narrow the rosters, particularly on the road. The Phils don't have much center field depth in camp; Rich Thompson could appear from time to time this spring.

Lineups are posted: Gillies CF, Podsednik DH, Wigginton 3B, Pence RF, Brown LF, Mayberry 1B, Martinez 2B, Galvis SS, Gosewisch C. Wigginton, Pence, Brown, Mayberry and Martinez have started each of the Phillies three exhibition games, including the Florida State game. Pitching-wise, Joel Pineiro, David Purcey, Antonio Bastardo and Aumont are slated after Halladay.

Granderson, Yankees down ‘mature’ Phillies 8-5

Curtis Granderson homered and doubled to lead the visiting Yankees to an 8-5 victory in the Grapefruit League opener.

Beerleaguer: Just one observation. The camera adds 5-to-10 years. Wait. What’s that? The Phillies are actually that old? Oh, right. Not that it's any great revelation. The Phillies fielded the oldest lineup in baseball last season and tacked on more seniority in Jim Thome (40) and Ty Wigginton (34) this winter. I suppose it doesn’t sink in until you actually see the real thing. It didn’t help that the Phils sent a parade of veterans to the hill while the Yankees countered with their best young arms, including Banuelos and Betances. Otherwise, the Yankees are only slightly less geriatric. Another factor is the number of formerly “lithe” players in camp who were at their supplest a decade ago: Juan Pierre, Scott Podsednik, Dontrelle Willis, to name a few. A couple of readers have already grumbled about Chad Qualls, but to me, today was a good reminder that the D-Train, who has appeared in a grand total of 43 games since 2007, probably left the station long ago.

Game chat: Debuts abound in Phillies' spring opener

Jonathan Papelbon, Dontrelle Willis, Chad Qualls and Jim Thome are among the off-season additions making their first appearances with the Phillies this afternoon as the Grapefruit League, and Beerleaguer chat schedule, begins against the Yankees at Bright House Field. First pitch is 1 p.m. ET with the game set to air on Comcast SportsNet. Cole Hamels and Ivan Nova are the scheduled starters. Lineups are posted: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Thome DH, Wigginton 3B, Mayberry 1B, Brown LF, Kratz C, Martinez 2B. Raul Ibanez makes his Yankees debut and hits fifth.

Beerleaguer: The first televised game of spring marks one of true highlights of the baseball calendar, and for this Phillies team, it’s a chance for a new beginning. That’s also true for guys like Papelbon, who starts fresh in the National League and is one of the focal points of today’s contest. Meanwhile, for veterans like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz, this month will serve a different purpose, one of pace and preparedness. And then there’s Thome, who’s pulling out all the stops - first baseman’s glove and all - for one last run at a World Series.

As spring trainings go, it's one of the more compelling. And cheers to the start of another great season on Beerleaguer.

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Service time catching up with Chooch, too

It’s tough to put a price on Carlos Ruiz, but the Phils have already set a figure: a $5 million '12 club option that has yet to be picked up.

Beerleaguer: There’ve been a couple of stories this week on what it would take to retain Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino. Chooch is another guy who’s inching toward the end of his deal. It’s highly unlikely, but possible (and worthy of discussion), that this could be Chooch’s last season, too, if the Phillies buy out his 2013 option for $500,000. Two years ago, Chooch signed an $8.85 million, three-year contract that covered his arbitration years. He’s been worth every penny, delivering a career year in ’10 followed by a steady campaign last season. Teammates (and this particular writer) consider him something of a “team MVP” over the last two seasons as a steady influence who sets the tempo and happens to handle the best pitching staff in the game.

There is a chance, though slight, that this could be the last season. He’s 33 and has received his share of punishment. But I doubt it. It’s actually a little surprising the Phillies haven’t already given him the piece of mind offered to Jimmy Rollins when his 2011 option was hanging out there prior to 2010. Still, give the Phillies credit. It's a perfectly configured deal.

No timetable for Howard, watch FSU game highlights

Just call it a setback.

Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan downplayed Ryan Howard's open and infected would on the skin covering his surgically repaired Achilles, focusing instead on the positive news that the tendon has not been compromised. Howard underwent a procedure Monday to clean the wound.

Meanwhile, MLB.com produced a highlight reel of Wednesday's 6-1 victory over Florida State, including Domonic Brown's stolen base, a couple great plays by Freddy Galvis and John Mayberry and Hector Luna's two-run shot to put the nail in the coffin. [Watch]