Phillies notes: Blanton hopes for quick return

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Friday, April 29, 2011
Posted: 7:35 p.m.

By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com

Pitcher Joe Blanton said he first felt a touch of discomfort in his right elbow in spring training. He believed it to be the result of throwing curveballs for the first time during camp and really didnt give it a second thought. Blanton felt the discomfort again in his first start of the regular season. When it didnt subside by his fourth start, he got a little worried.

On Friday, a day after an MRI revealed an impingement in his elbow, Blanton was breathing a little easier. Hes not happy that the condition of the elbow has sent him to the disabled list, but hes relieved that the injury does not appear serious.

The MRI gave me some peace of mind, he said. Were optimistic I can be back pretty quick.

Right-hander Vance Worley was recalled from Triple-A to take Blantons turn in the rotation on Friday night.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was also relieved by the diagnosis that Blanton received.

We hope he misses just a couple of starts, Amaro said. Its much better news than the alternative. We dont think theres any ligament damage or anything like that. So thats a good thing. An impingement is better than ligament damage. Were not happy hes on the DL, but were happy its not super serious.

In laymans terms, an impingement is much like it soundssomething is pinching something, causing what manager Charlie Manuel described as kind of a burning sensation inside Blantons elbow.

Hes got something thats rubbing on one of the tendons in his elbow, I believe, Amaro said. One of the boney structures in his elbow is rubbing on one of the tendons and its irritating it.

That doesnt sound all that good.

Could it be a bone spur?

It could be and that wouldnt be uncommon for guys who have pitched this long, Amaro said.

Bone spurs are usually treated surgically.

Blanton said the MRI showed no structural damage. He added that to his understanding there is no bone spur. He said he would be treated with rest and rehab.

Oswalt update
Pitcher Roy Oswalt is still in his Mississippi hometown, helping family members recover from a series of tornadoes that ripped through the town. Oswalts family is healthy but, according to Amaro, there has been damage to a family members home.

Oswalt is scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but Amaro is not sure that Oswalt will be able to make that start. The Phillies had an off day Thursday and they have another one Monday so they can adjust their rotation and not have to pitch anyone on short rest. If Oswalt cant go on Tuesday, the Phillies will likely slot Cole Hamels into that spot.

Roster move
As expected, the Phillies brought up Dane Sardinha to be the third catcher while Carlos Ruiz gets a few days off to rest a sore lower back. The Phillies dont plan to put Ruiz on the DL, though they will watch his recovery closely. To make room for Sardinha on the roster, the Phils sent left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski to Triple-A. The Phils are carrying six relievers.

Brown update
Domonic Brown, recovering from a fracture in his right hand, remains on rehab at Single-A Clearwater. Amaro said that Brown could be pushed to a higher classification early next week. Brown is four days into a 20-day rehab stint. He will either be brought to the majors or be sent to Triple-A when those 20 days are up. Though no decision has been made, Amaro hinted strongly that Brown would go to Triple-A to continue his development.

He needs at-bats, Amaro said.In other injury news:Brad Lidge, recovering from a tear in his right rotator cuff, has been cleared to start a throwing program. That will last for about three weeks at which time Lidge could pitch in the minors, if all goes well.Jose Contreras, on the DL with an elbow strain, will start a throwing program early next week.J.C. Romero, recovering from a calf strain, is expected to pitch on minor-league rehab on Tuesday. That will likely take place at Lakewood.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

Related: Phils call up C Sardinha, send down ZagurskiBuy Phillies Gear

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