NewsIbanez unlikely to return from DL Friday
Left fielder to be re-evaluated before beginning rehab
By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com
06/29/09 4:29 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez said last week that his strained left groin feels much better.But while it has improved, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "One day he can be doing great, and another day not as great. We have to keep our minds open there."
Ibanez is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Friday against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, but that is unlikely to happen. Amaro said Ibanez will see team physician Michael Ciccotti again this week.
"We'll re-evaluate him and see whether he's physically able to start some type of rehab," Amaro said.
While Ibanez remains on the disabled list, rookie John Mayberry Jr. will continue to play. He has hit .216 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 13 games.
Once Ibanez is back, Mayberry could return to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, unless the Phillies believe Mayberry could be the right-handed power bat they think they need on their bench.
Could he be?
"He's played really well for us overall," Amaro said. "It's still a very difficult position to put a kid in. A lot of it depends on what happens over the next several weeks with Ibanez."
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
