Incentives carry considerable weight for Phillies' Delmon Young

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Delmon Young, Michael Young and Freddy Galvis arrived on the scene of the Carpenter Complex on Friday, the final day position players had to check in before Saturday's first official full-squad workout of the spring.

As part of the routine, the players went through preseason physicals. Presumably, they were weighed.

Delmon Young, however, has no idea how much he weighs. Or he wasn't interested in divulging the information.

"I don't really go on the scale that much," Young said Friday at Bright House Field. "I just see what clothes fit and see when I can go on the beach."

Young then added that it's too cold to go to the beach.

Young not knowing his current weight - or not revealing it - is just a little interesting, because Young signed a 1-year, $750,000 deal with the Phillies last month that includes incentives in which he can earn almost the same amount just for making weight.

Young will be weighed by the Phillies six times this season.

He can earn $100,000 for each time he makes weight. Young has to be under 230 the first three weigh-ins and under 235 in the latter three.

When he met with reporters on last month at Citizens Bank Park, Young said he weighed 238 pounds. On Opening Day last season, he weighed in at 225.

Perhaps more important than his weight was the microfracture surgery he had on his right ankle in November. Young, who is making the transition to rightfield, a position he hasn't played since 2007, is expected to be limited this spring.

"The ankle is feeling good, but I'm not a doctor," Young said. "So when the doctor tells me when everything will be ready, I'll be out there. I'm not going to put any date on it."

Manager Charlie Manuel said he expects Young to miss some time. So rather than having one opening in the outfield, in left, the Phillies really have two, in each of the two corner outfield spots. Regardless, expect Domonic Brown and Darin Ruf to lead the Phillies in at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

The other Young

After leading the position players as the first group to take batting practice at Bright House Field, the veteran infield of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Michael Young moved over to the Carpenter Complex' short field for fielding work with Hall of Famer and third-base coach Ryne Sandberg.

Each player assumed his natural position, except for Michael Young, who doesn't exactly have a default spot on the diamond. Since breaking into the big leagues in 2003, Young has played at least 150 games at shortstop, second base and third base in a season throughout his career.

Young, 36, took ground balls at third, where he is expected to be every day this season for the Phillies.

When the Phils traded for Young 2 months ago, many outsiders questioned whether the aging infielder could still handle third base. Apparently, the doubts grew so loud that at least some reporters in Clearwater thought Young had never played third base.

"I've played there before," Young said to one uninformed reporter. "I have experience playing third base. I've had a full season over there. I've played in the World Series at third base before. As far as reacclimating myself to it, it's nothing a little hard work can't fix. That's why I was looking forward to getting down here."

Young, who trains in an indoor facility in Dallas each winter, said he already began taking regular ground-ball work after the December trade.

Goal for Galvis

When asked whether he would prefer to see the slick-fielding Freddy Galvis on the Phillies' bench or getting regular at-bats in the minor leagues, Charlie Manuel opted for strengthening the big-league club.

"I can see Freddy getting to play 60 or 70 games," Manuel said of using the infielder to backup Young, Rollins and Utley this season. "If he plays 60 games that's, what 240 at-bats, and after you add going into games and pinch-hitting, you're talking about 300 at-bats. Does he help us giving us 300 at-bats here, or 500 at-bats in the minor leagues? I say being on our team, getting 300 at-bats."

Galvis, 23, hit .226 in 58 games as a rookie last season, but impressed Manuel with his defensive play and baseball acumen.

Phillers

Darin Ruf took ground balls Friday at first base, his natural position. Ruf, who is competing for the Phillies' vacant leftfield job, is expected to get reps at both positions this spring. He began playing the outfield only last summer . . . Players who made an impression on Charlie Manuel on Friday included lefthanded reliever Jake Diekman and Rule 5 centerfielder Ender

Inciarte . . . The Phillies will hold an intrasquad game at Bright House Field on Friday, Feb. 22, before the Grapefruit League schedule starts. The game is scheduled to begin at noon and is free to the public.

Email: rlawrence@phillynews.com

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