Phillies Notes: Amaro updates medical reports on Phillies' Lee, Stutes, Utley and Howard

Following a 10-game road trip, the Phillies had a day off on Thursday, but it was still a busy day in the medical department.

Lefthander Cliff Lee and righthander Michael Stutes both had MRIs.

Phillies general manger Ruben Amaro Jr. says that Lee has a Grade 1 left external oblique strain.

"That is kind of what we thought it would be," Amaro said before Friday's game at Citizens Bank Park against the Chicago Cubs.

Amaro stressed that the Phillies don't know the timetable for Lee, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 4 when the Phillies open a weekend series in Washington.

Amaro says that Lee seems to be doing better each day, but he was cautious in his assessment.

"I am optimistic, but that doesn't mean anything," Amaro said. "We'll see. It depends on how he feels."

One thing the Phillies won't do is rush Lee back too soon.

"We'd only like to have him miss a couple of starts but if he has to miss three, four starts then that is what it will be," Amaro said. "Hopefully it will be shorter than that."

Amaro said that reliever Stutes has a mild right rotator cuff strain and will likely be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks. According to Amaro, Stutes will soon go to Clearwater to begin rehabilitating.

As for Chase Utley's chronically injured knees, Amaro was encouraged, but nothing more.

"I think in a week or so we will see where he stands but he seems to be progressing really well," he said.

Amaro had no update on Ryan Howard, who has been limited since Feb. 27, when he required a procedure to clean an infection from his original Achilles tendon surgery wound.

Howard saw a wound specialist on Monday. Amaro said Howard was expected to see a wound specialist soon for another visit.

Infielder Pete Orr saw the most action he's gotten this season in the recently completed three-game series in Arizona and made the most of his opportunity.

In the Phillies' first 16 games, Orr had five at-bats. During the three games in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, he was 3 for 10 with a key three-run triple in Tuesday's 8-5 win.

"It feels great to contribute in a big spot," he said.

The Phillies won their final two games against Arizona after Monday's 9-5 loss. In that defeat, the Phils scored five runs in the ninth and Orr believed it had an impact on the next two wins.

"Even though we lost, we came together in that ninth inning," he said. "I think it carried over the next two days."

Rookie Freddy Galvis made his first start (and second appearance) at shortstop in Wednesday's 7-2 victory that gave the Phillies a 5-5 record on their 10-game road trip.

Galvis later moved to second when Jimmy Rollins was inserted in the eighth inning, but getting back to his natural position, albeit ever so briefly, was to Galvis' liking.

"It was my first game [this season] at shortstop and it felt good."

It also felt a little weird.

"It was a lot farther throwing it to first base," he said, laughing. "I had to get used to it."