More alarms would be warranted if the soreness was in Lee's shoulder or elbow, but the abdomen is an area where Lee has experienced trouble before. In 2010, he strained an abdominal muscle and did not make his first start until April 30 for Seattle. He has had two previous abdominal strains, too.
"In the past I've had ab strains, and it was a little sore," Lee said, "so I decided to skip my bullpen, which is a minor deal and just basically play it safe at this point."
Lee said he felt better Thursday and Friday and is scheduled to throw again Sunday. He says skipping the bullpen session is a prudent decision he wouldn't have necessarily done previously.
"The early stages of that in the past I tried to power through it," Lee said. "I'm trying to be smarter with it now and keep it a small issue."
Contreras happy
Jose Contreras threw off a mound for the second time after elbow surgery, and there were smiles all around when he finished. Amaro and assistant general manager Scott Proefrock watched from a balcony and left impressed.
"He threw really well today," Amaro said. "We were very encouraged with how he threw. More importantly, he was really encouraged. That's real important. Once you go through a surgery, there's always some tentativeness there. He had a really good demeanor when he walked off the mound. That's a very, very good first step."
Contreras threw 30 pitches and said his elbow felt "much better." He expects to appear in a Grapefruit League game during the second week of play after a few more bullpen sessions.
Extra bases
Shane Victorino was the latest hitter called into Charlie Manuel's office for a meeting about offensive approach. Victorino, a free agent at season's end, said he'd gladly give up his shot at testing the market to remain with the Phillies on a long-term deal. . . . Righthander Justin De Fratus will be shut down for at least a week with elbow soreness. He will be examined by team physician Michael Ciccotti. "If I'm feeling anything, it's a little frustration because I felt like I was coming in here with a chance to make the team," De Fratus said. "I'm still not really concerned because it is getting better." . . . Manuel addressed the team before its first full-squad workout Friday. What did he talk about? "The same stuff every year," he said. "Things we need to correct. Things like that. We're going to win."
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb
at mgelb@phillynews.com
or @magelb on Twitter.
Staff writer Bob Brookover contributed to this article.
