Phillies Notes: A weight off Contreras' shoulder

Jose Contreras did not need words to explain his recent run of mediocrity. He pointed to his right shoulder and flashed a toothy grin, the Cuban's way of demonstrating he has it all figured out.

"It should be better," Contreras said.

Contreras had allowed an earned run in three straight appearances, his worst such streak since becoming a full-time reliever and Phillie at the beginning of the 2010 season.

Manager Charlie Manuel and the rest of the coaching staff grew fond of the hulking righthander because of his durability and consistency. This season brought the challenges of overcoming elbow stiffness, and Contreras' June is a lesson that an injury to a 39-year-old arm can take longer to heal.

At first, Contreras' velocity was not at its normal levels. Then, in his last outing, his fastball hovered at its normal 93-94 m.p.h., but control of it defied Contreras. He coughed up four runs to Chicago and retired only one batter.

After watching video of that outing, pitching coach Rich Dubee found a flaw. Contreras' right shoulder was flying open in his delivery, possibly the byproduct of going a month without regular pitching.

"He's kind of flat right now," Dubee said. "There's no angle to his pitches. Velocity has nothing to do with it. It's a mechanical thing."

Contreras, armed with this knowledge, smiled again.

"I feel good," he said.

Manuel said he has a good idea of who will start Saturday's game in Seattle but is not ready to reveal it. All signs point to rookie Vance Worley returning from triple A to take the spot.

"We kind of know," Manuel said. "We really haven't made our mind up yet. You have to leave things open. We haven't made a decision yet."

Both Manuel and Dubee said the reports on Worley, who has allowed three runs in 19 innings since his demotion, are good. Worley said his velocity peaked at 94 m.p.h. in his Monday start, a sign of encouragement for the righthander.

Is there a good reason for Worley to not make the start?

"Could be," Dubee said. "We could use the bullpen. Maybe we don't have a move to make. To get Worley here, we'd have to make a move. We'll see. I'm not worried about that."

Danys Baez stretched and took batting practice with the other starting pitchers before Tuesday's game, but he said he just wanted a few extra swings because of his recent spike in at-bats. Baez, who has not started a game since 2002, said he was unaware of any possible plans for him to start Saturday.

Dubee confirmed the belief that Joe Blanton (right elbow inflammation) will not return before the all-star break. Blanton played catch again Tuesday. . . . Brad Lidge (elbow, shoulder) will play catch Wednesday for the first time since June 6. . . . Dubee estimated Kyle Kendrick could throw at least 90 pitches in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader. Kendrick will be opposed by Elih Villanueva, who is making his major-league debut. Villanueva had a 5.23 ERA in 13 triple-A starts. . . . Brian Schneider (left hamstring strain) said he still expects to begin a rehab assignment this week. "I feel good," he said. "I'm ready to go." . . . Triple-A outfielder Scott Podsednik is out three to four weeks with a left foot injury. . . . Third baseman Ronnie Belliard announced his retirement before Tuesday's game at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Belliard, 36, hit .251 in 53 games with the IronPigs. He played parts of 13 major-league seasons with six teams. . . . Manuel was named Magee Rehabilitation Hospital's 2011 Humanitarian of the Year and accepted his award before the game.