Phillies Notes: Sandberg: Team's preparation is paramount

MIAMI - The Phillies arrived at their hotel Sunday at 10 p.m., and a whirlwind day that started with an early-morning negotiating session between general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and Ryne Sandberg's agents ended with Sandberg able to think beyond this final week.

His seven-year quest that started in the Midwest League was complete. But, after a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets, there was no celebrating for the Phillies manager.

"I'll save it," he said.

Instead, a three-year deal provides security and a chance to implement more change. His first mission is clear: He will place more importance on pregame preparation than anything else.

"It all starts in spring training for me, and I think the tone is set in spring training, whether it's drills or defensive sessions or outfield sessions," Sandberg said. "I think the work needs to be done and I think it needs to be done with quality and game speed. It's actually work and not going through the motions. I think we can work on things more."

Does that mean he sees a team that lacks conditioning?

"We can work on things more, in more quality sessions pregame, and then maintain that throughout the whole season," Sandberg said. "Have the guys not only get better, but maintain where they're at, if not get better."

Sandberg envisions about 15 minutes of extra work every day, especially when at home, on various drills. He does not anticipate qualms from his players.

"I'm not worried about that," Sandberg said. "I think it's all for the players' benefit to get better."

Antonio Bastardo was suspended for 50 games with 51 games remaining in the season, which means the Phillies must activate the lefthander before Sunday's season finale. But Bastardo, implicated in the Biogenesis scandal, will not rejoin the team in Atlanta.

Bastardo, actually, is not able to pitch. Amaro said Bastardo received an injection to repair a left knee injury.

"That was done a while ago as a precaution," the GM said. "He's not able to play."

Amaro expects Bastardo to pitch in winter ball. The team is likely to tender him a contract through arbitration.

Bastardo's looming activation was behind the decision to place Kyle Kendrick on the disabled list Monday. Kendrick is done for the season because of shoulder inflammation, but there is no need to use the disabled list in September with expanded rosters. In this case, it eventually will free a 40-man roster spot.

Sandberg said there was no timetable for his coaching-staff decisions, although some could be made by Sunday's finale. . . . Both Ryan Howard and Ben Revere began play in instructional league games Monday, although rain interfered. Sandberg said he intends to speak soon with Howard about his offseason expectations.