Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Posted: 6:07 p.m.
By Jim SalisburyCSNPhilly.com
MIAMICranky elbow and all, Joe Blanton got through his bullpen session without incident on Wednesday afternoon.
Afterward, the righthander expressed confidence that he would be able to make his next scheduled start on Saturday in Atlanta.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee expressed the same confidencewith a caveat.
If our medical people say hes OK to pitch and it isnt a risk, Dubee said.
Blanton returned to the rotation on Monday night after missing two starts with elbow discomfort. After that game, Dubee said the pitchers elbow was still cranky and that Blanton was not 100 percent.
Blanton threw 30 pitches in the bullpen Wednesday and admitted to some crankiness.
MLB
Thats probably a good word for it, he said.
Blantons fastball lacked some velocity Monday night.
Thats because he wasnt leaning on it, Dubee said. Because he wasnt getting after it.
That may have been the result of Blanton subconsciously being cautious about the elbow.
Blanton had an MRI two weeks ago an it showed no structural damage. That has eased his mind and made him confident that he can pitch through this problem.
Ask any pitcher and theyll all say they feel something, said Blanton, dismissing the issue as routine.
Blanton said he and team medical personal are still working to find out what has caused his elbow soreness.
If Blanton is unable to go on Saturday, Vance Worley or Kyle Kendrick could get the call, depending on who is rested.
Majors in minors
Clearwaters Bright House Field will have a big-league feel to it Thursday night when Roy Oswalt, Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz all play in a minor-league rehab game for the Single A Clearwater Threshers.
Utley is expected to play second base. He served as the designated hitter for Clearwater on Tuesday night and had a hit in four at-bats.
There is no timetable for Utleys return but sometime during the May 18-26 homestand seems likely.Triple A infielder Kevin Frandsen was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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