Phillies' Myers says he feels fine after simulated game

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brett Myers was supposed to be starting a long-toss program at this point of his recovery, 2 months after hip surgery.

Instead, the 28-year-old righthander pitched a simulated game yesterday.

"It went great and I am feeling fine," Myers said. "It was good to face hitters. It has been a while."

Myers, who entered the season as the Phillies' No. 2 starter, last pitched May 27. He was 4-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 10 starts before surgery.

"I threw everything, the whole kitchen sink," Myers said of his 21-pitch outing. "I threw basically, like, an inning."

Myers won't wait long to test his stuff again.

"Sunday, I will be right back out there doing a sim-game, then see where that takes me," he said. "I think they are going to keep me around 20 to 30 pitches to simulate, like, an inning or so. Maybe I will get up to two innings a little bit later."

Meanwhile, Phillies lefthander J.C. Romero and righthander Chad Durbin will both pitch for Class A Clearwater tonight in Dunedin. Romero (left forearm strain) is scheduled to go one inning, and Durbin (back) will likely go two, both out of the bullpen.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Durbin looked good in his first rehab outing Wednesday night. He will return to the parent club tomorrow, and the Phillies will then decide whether he needs another minor league appearance or is ready to join the team.

Daily News sports writer David Murphy contributed to this report.