There's plenty of news coming out of Clearwater surrounding the Phils. Chase Utley made his grapefruit league debut yesterday, leading off against the St. Louis Cardinals and going 0-2 with a strikeout. Utley had played in a minor league game the previous day, picking up two hits including a double, and two strikeouts in four at bats. All signs point to Utley being ready to take the field on opening day in Philadelphia.
On a less positive note, World Series MVP and ace starting pitcher Cole Hamels will have his elbow examined in Philadelphia tomorrow. He has experienced discomfort and tightness, and the team is calling it simply, "a little soreness or tightness." The Phillies are speculating, and likely using wishful thinking, because it's clearly concerning enough to send him back to Philadelphia for examination. Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged that Hamels' status for opening day could be in jeopardy. Let's hope he doesn't miss any significant time, if any at all.
Brad Lidge, Pedro Feliz and Chad Durbin all made their Spring debuts; great news as all three will be an integral part to the Phils' success in 2009.
Ryan Howard is punishing the ball, and may be on track to the fastest start to the season of his career if he continues hitting this way. Jason Donald is also impressing nearly everyone, as he has done it all. He's hitting, fielding and running the bases extremely well, and will make it a very difficult decision should the team executives decide to send him to the minors at the start of the season.
With just 20 days until opening day, there's a lot going on with the Phillies, and look for more to come as the Major League roster takes shape as we approach the start of the season.
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