CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies feel better and better about David Hernandez's chances of being ready by Opening Day.
He pitched a scoreless inning Friday in a Minor League game at Carpenter Complex. He also pitched an inning Tuesday, but has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 1 because of right triceps tendinitis. He could pitch in a Grapefruit League game in the next two or three days.
"His ability to open the season healthy is on track and is looking fine," Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said.
Hernandez struck out two and got a flyout to center field. His fastball sat in the 92-94 mph range. He also threw his breaking ball and changeup.
"I felt good," Hernandez said. "I was just trying to throw strikes. Next time, I'll try to hit more corners. My arm is definitely getting better. I have no discomfort when I'm pitching, just a little stiffness when I'm cooling down. I have no trouble getting loose and staying loose, and that's a good sign."
Phillies utility infielder Andres Blanco caught Hernandez. Blanco is the team's emergency catcher, so they wanted to get him some work behind the plate.
"I was happy to see him look healthy," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
Morton struggles
Right-hander Charlie Morton allowed four hits, five runs, three walks and two home runs and struck out three in four innings in the Phillies' 15-12 win on Friday.
"He was kind of all over the place," Mackanin said. "He didn't miss by a lot, but he didn't have location."
"Maybe trying to be a little too fine," Morton said.
Morton executed a suicide squeeze in the fourth inning to score a run.
Worth noting
• Rule 5 Draft pick Daniel Stumpf struck out one in one scoreless innings. He has a 4.50 ERA this spring, although three of the four runs he has allowed in eight innings pitched came in the eighth inning Monday in Sarasota, Fla., vs. the Orioles.
• Right-hander Dalier Hinojosa, who pitching coach Bob McClure considers a candidate to close, allowed his first runs of the spring in the ninth. He surrendered three runs (two earned). He had previously thrown five scoreless innings.
• Left-hander Adam Morgan threw 59 pitches in five scoreless innings at the complex. Morgan is competing with Vince Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer to be the team's No. 5 starter.
• The Phillies optioned right-hander Jimmy Cordero to Double-A Reading after Friday's game. He allowed two hits and one run in two-thirds of an inning. It was his first appearance of the spring, because he had been sidelined with a sore right biceps. Cordero is the No. 17 prospect in the organization, according to MLBPipeline.com.