Cliff Lee not Ready to Return from DL

Cliff Lee is eligible to come off of the Philadelphia Phillies disabled list Friday, but Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is reporting that left-hander won’t be activated.  Zolecki did say that Lee “is improving”, but before he can rejoin the Phillies he will have to log a pair of bullpen sessions.

According to Zolecki, the first bullpen session hasn’t been scheduled yet.  There figures to be at least a few days between bullpens and the Phillies will have to see how Lee’s oblique responds to the sessions.  Because of this, it seems that the best case scenario would have Lee rejoining the Phillies some time next week.

In Lee’s absence, the Phillies have turned to Kyle Kendrick.  In his first start against the Arizona Diamondbacks Kendrick was hit hard, surrendering seven earned runs on 11 hits and a walk in only three innings of work.

Kendrick was better Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, but he still too the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings.  Kendrick will likely continue taking the ball every fifth day until Lee is healthy enough to return.

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