Worth noting

• Right-hander Tyler Cloyd will start Sunday against the D-backs.

• The Phillies had discussed possibly playing Cody Asche in the outfield before the end of the season, but it sounds like the plan is to keep him at third.

"He looks really good at third base," Sandberg said. "I like what he's done over there. With his potential bat, I think he's going to be some kind of a hitter. His bat is a long time through the strike zone. He has a nice level swing. He has a line-drive mentality. I think as he gets a little stronger, I think his bat will play at third base as well as his range and his arm. Right now, I think he needs to concentrate and keep progressing at third base."

• Sandberg said he still has his first Phillies cap from when he joined the team as a September callup in 1981.

"I liked the Vet," Sandberg said. "For four years [in the Minor Leagues], I dreamt about playing at the Vet and being a Phillie, and that's how it was. You talked about being a Phillie and wanting to be a Phillie, and I heard about the Vet so much. It was a dream. As a visiting player, I used to go in there and be excited about playing there. I used to get some high fastballs to hit there and I didn't miss too many of them."

He wasn't joking. Sandberg hit .287 with 26 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs, 53 RBIs and an .815 OPS in 493 career plate appearances at Veterans Stadium. The only place he hit better? Wrigley Field, where he had a career .854 OPS.

• Amaro confirmed it is unlikely Ryan Howard rejoins the team before the end of the season. They just want to get him healthy.

• Center fielder Ben Revere (broken right ankle) is progressing with his weight-bearing exercises. The Phillies still think he could be back before the end of the season.

• Left-hander Joe Savery (stiff left elbow) threw Wednesday and will throw again Sunday.