Phillies Notes | Segovia may earn a bullpen chance

TAMPA, Fla. - In

Charlie Manuel's

mind, anybody who throws strikes deserves a chance.

Phillies righthander Zack Segovia, who went a combined 16-6 last season with single-A Clearwater and double-A Reading, might have put his foot in the bullpen door in last night's 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees at Legends Field. He allowed five hits and a run and walked none in five innings against a lineup that featured every Yankees starter except Alex Rodriguez.

"It's a good feeling," said Segovia, who also struck out two. "I really felt confident. I didn't feel overwhelmed like I had in the past."

The Phillies are uncomfortable with their bullpen, with indications that they will be unable to pull off a trade before the April 2 season opener.

"We need somebody to pitch in the bullpen who can throw strikes and get people out," Manuel said.

Manuel said Segovia "can fill that role, if that's what we want to do. But he's young and inexperienced. We've talked about him being a bullpen candidate, but like I said, he's inexperienced."

Manuel was asked whether he had assigned roles for his bullpen.

"We're not organized enough to do that yet," he said. "Organized might not be the right word. We want more. I want to see more."

Former Phillies rightfielder

Bobby Abreu

made his Grapefruit League debut against the Phillies. He had not played this spring because he strained a right abdominal muscle on Feb. 26.

"It's nice to see my friends," Abreu said. "I'm happy to see them. I have many memories, many good memories. . . . They have a chance to win the division. Maybe they can be in the playoffs."

The Phillies lost for the 10th time in 13 games, which does not include a tie March 12 against Houston. . . . Righthander

Ryan Madson

(3.86 ERA) allowed three hits and an unearned run in two innings. He struck out one. . . . Righthander

Antonio Alfonseca

(9.00 ERA) threw a perfect eighth inning. . . .

Shane Victorino

(.429) went 2 for 4. . . .

Pat Burrell

(.212) had the only other hit.

Righthander

Freddy Garcia

(9.39 ERA in two starts) starts tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays at Knology Park in Dunedin. . . .

John Vukovich

, who died March 8 of brain cancer, is among 15 alumni on the Phillies' Wall of Fame ballot. Voting at phillies.com continues until 12:01 p.m. Friday.

- Todd Zolecki