Phillies Notes: Ezequiel Carrera brings speed

ATLANTA - Ezequiel Carrera spent eight days in baseball limbo. The setting was Columbus, Ohio, where Carrera lives. He went to the gym. He waited for a phone call.

The Phillies claimed him off waivers Tuesday from the Cleveland Indians. He arrived at Turner Field in time for early batting practice Wednesday.

Charlie Manuel, his new manager, issued a brief scouting report on the 25-year-old outfielder. "I knew he showed up," Manuel said, and that was a fine start.

"We'll see what we got," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Carrera's speed could make him an asset. This spring, he stole 11 bases. That led all major-league players. The Venezuelan native said he was more aggressive.

"I took more chances," Carrera said through a translator. "I realized it was something I could do. Bringing it into the season, I have more confidence I can be a good base stealer."

He stole 187 bases in eight minor-league seasons. He was an exceptional threat at triple-A Columbus in 2011. He stole 35 bases in 39 attempts. That dipped to 26 of 33 in 2012.

In 116 games with Cleveland, 88 of which were starts, Carrera stole 18 bases and was caught six times. Carrera can play all three outfield positions. He bats lefthanded.

The Phillies opted for him over Ender Inciarte, a Rule 5 pick with a similar skill set. Inciarte never played a game above single A. Carrera's experience made him more valuable.

Should Inciarte clear waivers, Arizona is expected to recover his rights by paying the Phillies $25,000.

For the second straight day, Delmon Young played a few innings in right field during an extended spring training game. Amaro likened it to the start of spring training for Young, who is recovering from ankle surgery.

"He's still got a little bit of a gimp," Amaro said. "But he's running a little bit smoother."

The Phillies will probably be without Young for at least April. Once activated, Young will receive a $225,000 bonus, so there is no reason to rush him. He has not played right field since 2007.

"He's seen a lot of live action hitting-wise, because we're getting him a lot of at-bats," Amaro said. "He's getting at least five a day. So he's seeing pitches, and that helps. He's not 100 percent, but he's progressing more each day, it seems like. I don't really have a timetable on him. We'll see."

Manuel made no changes to his lineup for Game 2 against the Braves after the Phillies scored five runs on opening night.

Even with a lefty, Paul Maholm, pitching for Atlanta, Manuel saw no need for a different combination.

"I've got the same lineup," Manuel said. "I don't know how much more I can change. It is what it is. I can change anything I want to. But that's what it is."