Lee to make first spring appearance Thursday
Phils lefty scheduled to throw two innings; Williams to start Tuesday's opener
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Any team in baseball that thinks it might need starting-pitching help this season might want to take a peek Thursday at the Phillies' Grapefruit League game against the Astros in Kissimmee.
Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee will pitch, which means he is not behind schedule in relation to other pitchers in camp. Lee finished last season on the disabled list with an injured left elbow, but there have been no issues this spring.
"Cliff is right on," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said Friday afternoon. "He's throwing well. He feels good."
Lee, who is scheduled to throw two innings, is one of a host of Phillies veterans that could be traded this season.
Phillies right-hander Jerome Williams will start Tuesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Yankees at Bright House Field. Right-handers David Buchanan and Jeanmar Gomez and left-handers Joely Rodriguez and Mario Hollands also are scheduled to pitch.
Right-hander Aaron Harang will start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in Tampa. Right-handers Ethan Martin, Justin De Fratus, Paul Clemens, Kevin Slowey and Hector Neris also will pitch.
The Phillies play an exhibition game Sunday against the University of Tampa at Bright House Field. Right-handers Clemens, Phillippe Aumont, Neris, Nefi Ogando and left-handers Elvis Araujo and Andy Oliver are scheduled to pitch.
The only pitchers in camp that have not thrown to hitters are right-handers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Pettibone. Both are behind schedule because of a right elbow and a right shoulder injury, respectively.