Hit-and-run

From the Grapefruit League: The Phillies lost to the Yankees, 13-4, last night, ending a stretch of games in which the team had won six of seven. With three more games in Florida, the Phillies' spring record is 11-14-1.

Injury updates: The Phils have placed closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21. Lidge's knee, which required arthroscopic surgery earlier in the spring, is fine, but his arm strength is not where it needs to be because he has had such an abbreviated spring training. He is eligible to come off the DL April 5. RHP Tom Gordon will take on the closer role for the first few games of the year.

RHP Kris Benson, who is likely to take over the role of fifth starter if Adam Eaton should falter, can opt out of his contract with the Phillies if he is not added to the 40-man roster today. Benson felt soreness, which he described as biceps tendinitis, after his March 13 Minor League start. The righty missed the entire 2007 season because of a torn rotator cuff. Benson would become a free agent if he opts out.

LHP Mike Zagurski, who came out of nowhere to become a serviceable bullpen option last season, may need Tommy John surgery, which would knock him out for 2008 and part of '09.

Cuts: Since our last report, the following players have been moved out of Major League camp: C Jason Jaramillo, 3B Brennan King, C Pete Laforest, LHP Fabio Castro, and 2B Casey Smith. Pitchers Scott Mathieson and Francisco Rosario (along with Lidge and Zagurski) were placed on the 15-day disabled list.

That leaves 32 players in Clearwater competing for a spot on the 25-man roster. Four nonroster invitees remain: Benson, LHP Vic Darensbourg, RHP Gary Knotts, and LHP Matt Smith.

Among the players on the 40-man roster, 3B Wes Helms still must be dealt, and SS Ray Olmedo and OF Chris Snelling will almost certainly be sent to the Minors, leaving 13 position players on the active roster. There are currently 12 pitchers on the 25-man, but a move will have to be made when Lidge comes off the DL.

Uniwatch mention: ESPN.com Page 2 contributor Paul Lukas runs a site called Uni Watch that I spend far too much time perusing. Lukas posted this nugget in today's Page 2 column:

It is Uni Watch's sad duty to announce that the Phillies have scrapped the cool alternate cap they've been wearing for interleague games in recent years. On the plus side, they've unveiled a new throwback alternate uniform, based on the team's late-'40s uni, which will be worn for selected home games. It's flat-out gorgeous, with the exception of one small fly in the ointment: The uni numbers on the original design looked like this, so why is the throwback version going with this?

Evil Phanatic: Dude.

Mike & Mike's Phillies Blog will be on location at Citizens Bank Park this Saturday for the Phils' last warm-up of the spring and Monday for Opening Day vs. the Nationals. Look for photos and recaps after the games!