"We won't activate him during the year," LaMar said. "He'll be ready to throw in the instructional league."
Cosart will remain at the Phillies' complex in Clearwater, Fla., to continue his rehab. LaMar said Andrews instructed the Phillies to give Cosart a few weeks off from throwing. The team will take it a step further.
Baseball America rated Cosart in the bottom half of its midseason top-50 prospect rankings. In 14 starts with Lakewood, Cosart was 7-3 with a 3.79 ERA. He struck out 77 and walked 16. The righthander was supposed to pitch in the Futures Game in Anaheim, Calif., but did not participate because of the elbow injury.
Victorino hits
Shane Victorino (strained left abdominal muscle) took swings in an underground batting cage for the second straight day Wednesday. He has also begun a long tossing program to stretch the injured side muscle.
Victorino is eligible to return on Aug. 12. When Victorino was placed on the disabled list July 28, the Phillies said he could miss three weeks. Victorino said he still doesn't have a timetable to return.
"I feel better," he said.
Extra bases
Roy Oswalt makes his second start as a Phillie on Thursday against Florida. Lifetime against the Marlins, Oswalt is 5-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 12 starts. . . . Outfielder John Mayberry Jr. joined the team in Florida after being recalled Tuesday. It could be a brief stint for Mayberry, who could be the player to go when Mike Sweeney arrives Thursday. . . . Roy Halladay was named National League pitcher of the month for July. Halladay was 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA in five starts.
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/magelb.
