Just days left, uncertainty hitting Phils where it hurts

March 28, 2007|By Todd Zolecki, Inquirer Staff Writer

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Pat Gillick's top concern this week is not Pat Burrell's swing.

It's the Phillies' health.

"We want to get healthy," the team's general manager said Sunday. "We were pretty healthy until the last week. We have a few nicks and bruises, so consequently this last week we need most of our people that are nicked up to get healthy."

The Phillies, who beat the Cincinnati Reds, 6-2, last night at Bright House Networks Field, have just five more days for everyone to heal up. Their season opener, against the Atlanta Braves, is scheduled for Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

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Here are the wounded:

Freddy Garcia (right biceps tendinitis): He threw 30 fastballs in the bullpen yesterday and will be reevaluated today. The Phillies still have Garcia on schedule to pitch in the April 6-8 series against the Florida Marlins in Miami, but he could open the season on the disabled list. (That would allow the Phillies to carry an extra pitcher or hitter through April 6.)

"He looked OK," Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "We'll see where he is tomorrow. We'll see how he responds. He's feeling better, which is good. He popped some balls."

Jon Lieber (strained right abdominal muscle): He is scheduled to play catch today, but appears headed to the disabled list. That means righthanders Clay Condrey and Jim Ed Warden could open the season in the bullpen unless the Phillies make a move.

Lieber "is progressing pretty well," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We are hopeful but not optimistic" about his being ready by Monday.

Lieber, who injured his oblique muscle last week while swinging a bat, has not been in the best mood since he was moved to the bullpen. Asked when he thought he would need to throw off the mound to be ready to start the season, he said, "You'll have to talk to Pat or Charlie [Manuel]. I have no idea."

Geoff Geary (sore left hamstring): He pitched a perfect eighth inning last night against the Reds. The reliever, who had not pitched since March 15, is expected to be ready for the opener.

"I'm doing everything possible to get prepared," Geary said before the exhibition game. "I threw a bullpen [session] two days ago, and I felt good. I tried to throw as hard as I could just to see. It wasn't exactly where I wanted the ball to go, but I tested my hamstring, and it felt fine."

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