Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Early Storylines from Phillies Camp

As spring training begins and the Philadelphia Phillies look to erase last season’s NLDS exit by the St. Louis Cardinals, a number of early storylines have already appeared at camp.

Ryan Howard, recovering from an Achilles injury, has gone from taking batting practice last week to travelling to have an open wound looked at during a check-up this week.

Players such as Chase Utley, Jose Contreras and Placido Polanco have begun putting last season’s injuries behind them, while Cliff Lee and Justin De Fratus have had to miss at least one throwing session early on in camp.

Contract talks, roster battles and talks about the team’s offensive approach have also become early storylines from Phils’ camp.

As the Phils continue to progress through spring training, a number of these storylines may remain relevant as Opening Day draws closer.

Contract Status of Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino

Just as this offseason featured multiple Phillies reaching free agency, next offseason is currently set to feature two more players, who have been with the team for the past half-decade, as free agents.

Both Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino are currently in the final years of their respective contracts. Both players have also said that they would like to remain with the Phils following this season.

Hamels went 14-9 with 194 strikeouts and a 2.79 ERA last season—the lowest ERA of his career. Hamels also finished in the top 10 in the National League in wins, strikeouts and ERA, and finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting.

Hamels avoided arbitration when he agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract with the Phils during the offseason.

Victorino batted .279 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI last season. Victorino also hit 16 triples, the most of his career, and batted .309 from the right side of the plate.

The Phils may attempt to sign both players to long-term deals without going over the luxury tax threshold, but doing so may not be easy.

Ryan Howard Will Have Check-Up This Week; Took Batting Practice Last Week

Ryan Howard took batting practice and worked on his fielding last week, over four months after having surgery on his Achilles injury.

The Phillies may be without Howard for Opening Day and possibly into May. John Mayberry, Jr., Jim Thome and Ty Wigginton may fill in at first base until Howard returns.

Howard batted .253 with 33 home runs and 116 RBI last season—his sixth-consecutive season of finishing in the top five in RBI in the National League.

Howard has recently developed an open wound following his surgery during the offseason and will have it looked at this week when goes for a check-up on his injury. Howard may soon be able to increase his workouts.

If Howard’s check-up goes well, he may soon be able to do more than take batting practice and work on his fielding.

Charlie Manuel and Jimmy Rollins Meet to Discuss Team's Offensive Approach

As spring training began, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel met with Jimmy Rollins to discuss the Phil’s offensive approach for this season.

The Phillies scored the second-highest amount of runs in the National League following the All-Star break last season but hit their lowest home run total in over a decade and had the ninth-highest team batting average in the National League.

The Phillies also struggled offensively in the NLDS. Players such as Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Placido Polanco all had batting averages last season that were below their career averages.

The Phillies scored nearly 60 less runs last season than they did in 2010 and finished outside of the top five in the National League in runs for the first time since 2002.

If the team’s offense can improve, and the team’s pitching continues as it did last season, the Phils may be able to improve on last season’s success.

Chase Utley Begins Spring Training in Better Health

While Ryan Howard may be out until May this season, it was Chase Utley who began last season on the disabled list.

However, this spring training, Utley enters camp in better health following a knee injury that caused him to miss the beginning of last season.

Utley batted .259 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 103 games last season. His number of hits, home runs and RBI, and his batting average, were the lowest of his career in a season in which he played in over 100 games.

Following a change this offseason in how he strengthens his knee, Utley begins spring training looking to bounce back from last season’s numbers while staying healthy throughout the season.

If Utley can remain healthy, his contributions to the Phils’ offense could greatly improve the team’s lineup.

Domonic Brown Plans on Making Opening Day Roster

While the battle for the Phils’ fifth outfield spot is going on, Domonic Brown may begin the season at Triple-A.

However, Brown began spring training with the intention of making the Phillies’ Opening Day roster.

Brown batted .245 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 56 games with the Phils last season. He also batted .261 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 41 games at Triple-A. Brown had two stints at both Triple-A and with the Phillies last season.

Brown batted .327 in 93 minor league games in 2010.

After being sent to Triple-A, mentioned in trade rumors at the non-waiver trade deadline and forced to change positions following the Phils’ acquisition of Hunter Pence, Brown had one of the more eventful 2011 seasons.

Brown may have difficulty making the team’s Opening Day roster, but improved performances in spring training could put him in the Phils’ lineup this season.