CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies starters Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson took a step forward in their recoveries Tuesday.
They each threw live batting practice against hitters at Carpenter Complex. Eflin is behind schedule after he suffered swelling in his right knee after running sprints last month. He had surgeries to repair the patellar tendons in his left and right knees last year. Thompson is behind schedule following soreness in his right wrist, which developed in workouts last month.
"I'm head over heels better than I've ever felt in my life," Eflin said. "I can't remember the last time that I felt like this. It's just a blessing."
Eflin said he felt no pain in his knees.
"It's really crazy to sit here and say I don't feel anything because I've always felt something," he said. "It feels stronger, it feels healthier, it feels awesome."
Eflin said he has time to get ready for the beginning of the season. If healthy, he is expected to open with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but it would not be a surprise to see him open on the disabled list to give him more time to recover.
Thompson also said he felt fine. He said he has experienced no soreness in his wrist for a few weeks.

"I'm still knocking off a little rust, but I'm happy that I'm healthy," he said.
Eflin and Thompson could throw another batting practice session this week and possibly appear in games as early as next week.
"Hopefully there's no delay to start the season," Thompson said. "I don't think that will be an issue as long as I don't have any setbacks, which I don't think that's going to be the case."