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Phillies notes: Freddy Galvis could return this weekend

Chris Branch
The News Journal
  • Pettibone will start Saturday against Miami
  • Howard denies that health problems are affecting fielding

PHILADELPHIA – The last time reporters met with Freddy Galvis, he was nursing wounds from a nasty staph infection at the Phillies spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla. By Friday, Galvis could rejoin his teammates in Philadelphia.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said Thursday that Galvis is "very close" to returning. Galvis, a defensive whiz who can play three infield positions and even some outfield, would be an immediate boost for the Phillies' bench.

Galvis appeared set for an opening day job until March 21, when he was hospitalized and diagnosed with MRSA, a form of staph infection resistant to most antibiotics, in his left knee.

Galvis stayed in Florida while the Phillies traveled to Texas to start the season. He's played in extended spring training games and three rehab games with Single-A Clearwater.

"He could come by [Friday]," Amaro said. "He's going to play [Thursday], play nine innings, the first time I think he's going to play nine innings. Then we'll decide if he's OK, then it's a possibility going into the weekend and as early as tomorrow he could be activated."

There are a few candidates for demotion once Galvis returns. Jayson Nix, who was picked up to fill the infield void Galvis left, could find himself without a job. Amaro also could stash Cesar Hernandez in Triple-A, where he will be able to play every day.

Pettibone to start Saturday

The Phillies confirmed Thursday afternoon what seemed to be an obvious outcome since Tuesday: Jonathan Pettibone will start Saturday's game against the Marlins and join the rotation as the fifth starter.

Pettibone, who started 18 games last season, slides into what had been a four-man rotation to this point thanks to fortunate scheduling. Pettibone also is recovering from lingering shoulder soreness that ended his 2013 season in late July. He finished with a 4.04 ERA.

David Buchanan, who impressed in spring training this season, had been another candidate for the fifth starter's job. Jeff Manship, currently the long man in the bullpen, also was mentioned as a possibility.

"Pettibone also earned an opportunity to pitch with us [last year]," Amaro said. "He got hurt. He was still fairly effective and he was still learning, but we think he's got a strong future as a starter for us."

Howard talks defense

Defensively, the Phillies have been awful thus far. Their fielding percentage of .970 ranked 28th out of 30 MLB teams entering Thursday night's action. Ryan Howard didn't help matters Wednesday with a crucial eighth-inning error in the Phillies' 9-4 loss to the Brewers.

Howard's error gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead. The Phillies never led after that.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Thursday he is a little concerned with Howard's defense, specifically his stance when fielding ground balls and throws to first base. Some of that could be due to Howard's limited mobility, something that has plagued him more since tearing his Achilles tendon in 2011.

"Whether he's slightly restricted on getting full athletic position, really getting down low where a guy would want to be, he is restricted to some extent there," Sandberg said. "Even last year, with the bum knee, he was fine as far as picking balls and receiving balls and actually throwing to the bases."

Howard denied any health problems. Instead, he called Wednesday's gaffe a casualty of rust and "one of the things that happens."

He did not doubt, however, that his mistake was costly. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said after the game that he didn't think the play should've been scored an error.

"It was an error. I had it. I had a clear play on it. I just went too quick," Howard said. "Rule of thumb for the kids is to take your time and make the play first."

Extra innings

Amaro said reliever Mike Adams will make a rehab appearance Saturday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and Adams could land back on the 25-man roster shortly thereafter. ... Darin Ruf, still dealing with a strained oblique suffered March 20, will start baseball activities soon, Amaro said. ... Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who also dealt with shoulder soreness in spring, is "feeling better" and throwing, according to the GM. But the Phillies have no set plans on where and when Gonzalez will throw in games.

Contact Chris Branch cbranch@delawareonline.com.