So begins the sophomore season for the 24-year-old Worley. He relied on deception in taking the National League by surprise in 2011. On Sunday, he isn't expecting to implement a great deal of change, but there will be wrinkles.
Start with the change-up, a pitch that could be vitally important to his 2012 success. He threw it about 8 percent of the time in 2011, but ideally, that rate will double this season. The reason? It looks like the devastating sinker he throws, only slower.
It's a pitch Worley fooled with during spring training, trying new grips and approaches. Ultimately, he's back to the same one he used before.
"It's a pitch I threw last year," Worley said. "And when I threw it, I had success with it. We just didn't throw it that much."
He's pleased with the way it feels right now.
"It's coming out more consistent," Worley said. "Better velocity on it. Better rotation. It's got sink."
Calling the pitches Sunday will be Brian Schneider, the man who caught Worley's final 12 starts in 2011. But manager Charlie Manuel dismissed the idea that Schneider and Worley will be permanently paired.
"He's not going to be his personal catcher," Manuel said. "I don't even like to hear that. I've never, ever done that. I don't believe in that."
Worley and Schneider have both said their relationship helped breed success. But it could be tougher this season for Manuel to remove Carlos Ruiz's bat from his lineup.
"I've heard people say they like the catcher," Manuel said. "Lose some games and see what happens."
No Thome yet
There was only one change to Manuel's Saturday lineup from opening day - Laynce Nix started at first base. The manager said he wanted another lefthanded bat, but opted for Nix over Jim Thome.
Manuel hopes to play Thome at least once a week. It's possible his first start comes Monday in the home opener, but Manuel said Thome could start Sunday.
Restraint, of course, is required with the 41-year-old's bad back in relation to his workload at first base, a position he hasn't played since 2007.
"I think about him every day," Manuel said. "I'll play Thome when I want to."
When asked who his best defender is at first, Manuel dodged the query.
"Not at the moment," he said. "I don't want to say it."
Extra bases
Jose Contreras (elbow) pitched a scoreless inning at single-A Clearwater in another rehab appearance. Contreras struck out two. In his last outing, he failed to complete an inning. He's eligible to be activated April 10, but the Phillies could wait longer. . . . On Thursday, for only the third time in 30 years, the Phillies won a game 1-0 with the only run scoring on a sacrifice fly. The others were won by Kevin Elster (1995) and David Bell (2005) fly balls. . . . Roy Halladay's next start will come Wednesday against Miami Marlins ace Josh Johnson, yet another rematch of the 2010 perfect game.
