Phillies Notes: Hamels sharp in minor-league start

CLEARWATER, Fla. - While the Phillies played their final spring game in Florida, a 3-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field on Thursday, Cole Hamels was next door at the minor-league complex beginning his journey back to the rotation.

Recovering from biceps tendinitis and a fatigued arm, Hamels made his first start this spring in a game against Pittsburgh Pirates minor-leaguers.

Hamels pitched two innings, although traditional rules did not hold. He wanted to face more batters, so he recorded four outs in the first inning and five outs in the second.

"I felt great," Hamels said.

In all, he threw 30 pitches, 20 for strikes, allowed two hits, struck out one, and did not walk a batter.

"I feel healthy, and I think that's really the key, that I have the strength now," Hamels said. "And now it's just getting the repetition to feel confident to be able to do it up there in the big leagues."

The lefthander plans to do all his rehab in Florida, although he will travel with the Phillies to be with the team for its opener Monday in Texas against the Rangers.

Hamels said he expects to make five more rehab starts in Florida and should be pitching every five days. With no setbacks, he could rejoin the Phillies by the final week of April.

The Phillies officially severed ties with Bobby Abreu. One day after the team announced that Abreu would not make the opening-day 25-man roster, it released the 40-year-old outfielder.

"Bobby is going to pursue opportunities with another club, so we will go ahead and give him his release," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I hope it works out for him and he continues to play."

Abreu hit .244 but had a .404 on-base percentage this spring. His struggles on defense appeared to seal his fate.

"What it came down to is putting a bench together with some versatility and guys able to do multiple things," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "As it turned out, he just didn't fit in with the rest of the pieces as a piece for our bench."

Righthander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who has been bothered by a shoulder injury, is long tossing and is pain-free, Amaro said.

The Cuban signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Phillies in August. Amaro said he could start the season on the 60-day disabled list, which would free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

"It's possible because he hasn't gotten the kind of reps he needs to build up," Amaro said.

Amaro said righthander Ethan Martin (shoulder) also is throwing again.

Leftfielder Domonic Brown, who has not been 100 percent after a lengthy bout with the flu, was given the day off against Toronto. Brown played Saturday after missing a week, but he was replaced in the fourth inning of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

"He is still just catching up with body strength and everything from the lingering flu symptoms he had," Sandberg said. "He will be fine, just a day to make sure we get ahead of that and get it behind him."

Sandberg said Brown is expected to play Friday in the exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park.

Jonathan Pettibone made his first Grapefruit League appearance while battling back from shoulder soreness. Pettibone, who missed the last two months of last season with a right-shoulder strain, threw two scoreless innings against Toronto.

Depending on his progress, Pettibone could be a candidate when the Phillies need a fifth starter on April 13.

"That is my goal," said Pettibone, who was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley after the game.

A.J. Burnett threw five effective innings in his final spring start. He allowed three hits and one run while striking out six and walking one. He said it was his best outing of the spring.

"I was throwing the ball where I wanted to," said Burnett, who hit his seventh batter this spring.