BY SCOTT LAUBER
(Twitter: @ScottLauber)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- So, we're here at Champion Stadium on the campus of ESPN's Wide World of Sports, not far from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center (no, I didn't have time to ride Space Mountain this afternoon, although the 10-year-old in me wishes I did). Anyway, quick update for y'all before we settle in to watch Phillies-Braves:
--J.C. Romero threw a bullpen session -- all fastballs, once again -- this morning back at the Carpenter Complex, and although pitching coach Rich Dubee said it went well, the reality on March 9 is that Romero (photo: Getty) almost certainly won't be ready for the season-opener April 5 in Washington. "I haven't ruled it out, but I think it's a very, very long shot, which we anticipated," Dubee said. Asked if Romero could be ready by the first homestand (April 12-18), Dubee said, "I don't look that far ahead."
--Brad Lidge will throw 15 to 20 pitches of live batting practice tomorrow. Asked if Lidge will have enough time to be ready by opening day, Dubee said, "He's still on the radar screen, that's for sure. He's further along [than Romero] at this point. The one thing we're trying to avoid with both of them is a step backwards. We just don't want any setbacks."
--One day after watching Kyle Kendrick throw three scoreless innings against the Yankees, and one day before Jamie Moyer starts a B-game against the Blue Jays, Dubee was asked to assess the fifth-starter competition, specifically why Kendrick is pitching in regular Grapefruit League games and Moyer hasn't done that yet. "We'd like to see Kyle in the regular games because he's the guy that's got to win the job in my mind," Dubee said. "Second, Jamie is coming off two surgeries, so I'd rather put him in a little less intense environment and let him get his feet on the ground. He'll be in regular games here soon." Asked if there's anything Moyer, a 23-year veteran, can show the Phillies in spring training that they don't already know, Dubee said, "That he's healthy. And endurance."
--Also, an interesting item buried within the game notes today: The Phillies will face Kyle Drabek tomorrow when they play the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
So, there's that. More later.