"I'm leaving on a good note," Worley said.
At this time last spring, neither Stutes nor Worley was on the Phillies radar. Sent back to minor-league camp Friday, each one stands a decent chance of contributing for the Phillies in 2011.
The Phillies will likely break camp with 12 pitchers. But even with a staff full of aces, they are sure to use more than 12 arms for the entire season. (They used 21 in 2010 and 22 in 2009.) Stutes and Worley have moved up the depth chart.
"Those two are legitimate guys who could help this club someday," pitching coach Rich Dubee said.
For now, their time must wait. Along with Stutes and Worley, the Phillies reassigned lefthanders Dan Meyer and Juan Perez to minor-league camp. With 11 locks for the pitching staff, that leaves four pitchers - Antonio Bastardo, David Herndon, Scott Mathieson and Mike Zagurski - in camp to compete for a 12th spot. The Phillies could decide to carry only 11 pitchers north, but that does not appear likely.
"We need guys who can pitch multiple innings," Dubee said.
Eventually those pitchers could be Stutes or Worley. Stutes was converted to a reliever last spring and finished the year at triple A. As a nonroster player in his first big-league spring training, he allowed one run and three hits in nine Grapefruit League innings. Most impressive was his ability to throw strikes; he fanned nine and walked just one.
"I think I made the best of my opportunity," Stutes said. "Hopefully I made some impressions. Hopefully I'll get a chance as soon as possible."
Dubee agreed.
"He's much more under control than last year when we did see him in some games," Dubee said. "His command was better. His angle was better. So he left with a very good impression."
Worley, 23, didn't leave as sterling an impression, but Dubee has an idea why.
