Phillies Notes: Will Phillies look at ex-Met Castillo?

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley visited a rehab specialist about his injured knee. (David M Warren/Staff Photographer) (Brian McCardle)

By Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: March 19, 2011

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The New York Mets, not exactly flush with cash these days, ate $6 million to release their former all-star and Gold Glove second baseman without a clear replacement for him Friday morning.

That probably says enough about the current state of Luis Castillo's 35-year-old body, but it does not mean the Phillies have ruled out possibly bringing in Castillo for a look at second, where a gaping hole remains without Chase Utley.

"That remains to be seen," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said when asked about the team's interest in Castillo.

Any club that picks up Castillo would only have to pay the major-league minimum of $414,000. But he managed just a .604 OPS in 86 games last season.

In one National League scout's opinion, Castillo has not looked like a viable option this spring. He was 8 for 28 with three walks in Grapefruit League play.

Proefrock said the team has been impressed with the Grapefruit League play of Wilson Valdez, Delwyn Young, Josh Barfield, Pete Orr and Michael Martinez - all of whom can play some second.

"I think we are very comfortable" with the current players, Proefrock said. "It's a hell of a competition. They've all played very well."

As for Utley, he was back in camp Friday after visiting a mystery rehab specialist who showed the second baseman new exercises for the chronic patellar tendinitis in his right knee. Utley took batting practice but did no more movement than before.

Utley declined comment. Does the team think the new exercises could help?

"Too early to tell," Proefrock said. "We'll have to see how it plays out."

The injured

Closer Brad Lidge (biceps tendinitis) threw a light bullpen session Friday without any pain. He said he hopes to pitch in Tuesday's game.

Placido Polanco (hyperextended left elbow) did not take batting practice and said it will be a "couple of days" before he does so. Manager Charlie Manuel said he is hoping Polanco will play Monday.

Domonic Brown (hand surgery) will have the stitches removed from his right hand Saturday and can begin swinging a bat soon.

Extra bases

Roy Oswalt pitched six innings and allowed two runs (none earned) with five strikeouts in a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday. . . . The Phillies reassigned outfielder Brandon Moss and infielder Jeff Larish. Shortstop Freddy Galvis was optioned. . . . Former Phillie Brett Myers will start opening day for Houston against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. . . . Marcos Coca and Daniel DelaCruz, two Phillies minor-league pitchers from their Dominican summer league team, were suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. . . . Country music star Kenny Chesney was a guest of Oswalt and Roy Halladay. He took some hacks in the cage before the game and signed a cowboy hat for Halladay.