Delmon Young plays on consecutive days
Delmon Young played seven innings in right field on consecutive days, marking another step in his progression from ankle surgery. Ruben Amaro said Young should start an official rehab assignment sometime next week. That activates a 20-day clock.
MIAMI — The Phillies were off Thursday, so general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. took a trip to the team's complex in Clearwater, Fla., to watch Delmon Young.
Young played seven innings in right field during an extended spring game on consecutive days, marking another step in his progression from ankle surgery. Amaro said Young should start an official rehab assignment sometime next week. That activates a 20-day clock.
Amaro's assessment of Young was much of the same.
"He did OK," Amaro said.
There is no target date for Young's return. When activated, the Phillies must pay him a $225,000 bonus.
"Delmon isn't going to come here unless he can play right field," Amaro said. "If he can't play right field, he ain't coming.
"The bat doesn't concern me nearly as much as how he's moving around and how well he's playing in the outfield. He's going to hit. I'm not that worried about that part of it. I'm more concerned about if he's going to be adequate in the outfield. So far he's been OK."
EXTRA BASES. Miami's top prospect, 20-year-old Jose Fernandez, will make his first home start Saturday vs. the Phillies. He had never pitched above single A before an impressive five-inning, eight-strikeout debut in New York. ... Friday started a stretch of 17 consecutive Phillies games without a day off. It is the second-longest span of the season.
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