Domonic Brown healing but could miss opener

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Domonic Brown's status for opening day may be in doubt because of moderate tendinitis in his left Achilles, but the Phillies rightfielder said Tuesday he was making progress.

"I haven't been looking at it like that yet," he said of his potential readiness for opening day. "I'm just excited on the progression, really. Hopefully I can be ready for opening day. That's the goal as of right now. But we'll see what happens. I'm excited that it wasn't a tear or anything like that, so we're moving in the right [direction]."

Brown, who hasn't played since Thursday, said he should resume running within the next couple of days. He hopes to be back on the field in "another week or so."

The last few days for Brown have consisted of playing catch and undergoing treatment. He left Thursday's game against the Yankees and said that night that his Achilles had bothered him for a couple of weeks. He was relieved when an MRI exam the next day revealed no tear.

Brown, 27, has seven hits (one double) in 29 spring at-bats. He is batting .241 with five walks and seven strikeouts. If he starts the season on the disabled list, other right-field options include Grady Sizemore, Jordan Danks, or non-roster invitees Brian Bogusevic and Jeff Francoeur.

Darin Ruf, who homered Tuesday against the Braves, is pegged as a leftfielder.

"I'm definitely feeling much better," Brown said. "I'm not even going to lie to you guys, I was a little nervous there before the MRI. To see the progression the last three or four days, it's been much better, so hopefully I can be back on the field in another week or so. Hopefully."

Manager Ryne Sandberg said the outfield situation has not been settled.

Bogusevic started in right field Tuesday and went 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. He has three home runs this spring and is tied with Ryan Howard for the team lead with eight RBIs. He has played all three outfield positions at the major-league level.

The speedy Danks can play all three outfield positions. He started in center field Tuesday and batted leadoff in the 5-3 victory. He has nine hits in 29 spring at-bats. Danks can still be optioned to the minor leagues, which could result in the Phillies' stashing him at triple A to start the season.

Francoeur did not make the trip Tuesday. He returned to the lineup Monday after missing a week with a tweaked right oblique. He has six hits in 25 spring at-bats.

"We have some competition there," Sandberg said. "We have some guys that are having some good springs that could step in there and fill that spot."