Joe Blanton pitched very well against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing just two runs on eight hits over his 7 1/3 innings. Blanton looked very sharp in this one, fanning eight and walking none. He was in control the entire game, throwing 78 of his 106 pitches for strikes. He improves to 2-3 with the victory and lowers his ERA to a respectable 3.81. He'll look to string together consecutive strong starts when he takes on the Braves in Atlanta next week.

Joe Blanton yielded six runs -- three earned -- over six innings in a loss to the Padres Sunday. It's a disappointing result for Blanton as he was part of a sloppy game at Petco. He gave up seven hits while striking out just two and walking two. This comes after the light-hitting Giants knocked around Blanton for 11 hits over five innings last Tuesday. It's hard to get excited about him for a home start against the Cubs next time out.

Joe Blanton gave up four runs and 11 hits in five innings Tuesday against the Giants. Blanton may prove to be a decent enough fifth or sixth starter in NL-only leagues, but he'll have nights like this when he's hit around pretty good. We'd like him a little more if the Phillies offense wasn't in such decline.

Joe Blanton pitched brilliantly against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing only one run on three hits in seven strong innings. Blanton struck out three and walked only one. Blanton exhibited good control and induced nine ground ball outs in the game. He may be poised to have a bounce back season and is an intriguing two-start option against the Giants and Padres next week.

Joe Blanton yielded two runs over 4 2/3 innings Monday night against the Pirates. Blanton gave up three hits while striking out three and walking none. Both runs scored in the second inning. The veteran right-hander finishes the spring with a 4.58 ERA and 16/1 K/BB ratio over 19 2/3 innings. While he won't be worth using in mixed leagues, he should be a decent fifth starter as long as he's healthy.

Joe Blanton was tagged for five runs in five innings by the Red Sox on Monday. Blanton, the Phillies' No. 5 starter, struck out five and walked none, so it wasn't a terrible outing. He did give up a pair of homers, though. He has a 4.80 ERA and a 13/1 K/BB ratio in 15 innings for the spring.

CBSSports' Danny Knobler reports that the Phillies are "less motivated" to trade Joe Blanton. We've heard plenty of trade chatter in regard to Blanton this month, but Knobler hears that Phils are less inclined to move him after releasing non-roster invitee Joel Pineiro. Kyle Kendrick looms as an in-house alternative and the Phillies could possibly make a run at Roy Oswalt, so they do have some options. Then again, Blanton has looked pretty good so far this spring, so they may be content to keep him around.

Joe Blanton allowed one run over six innings in a minor league game Tuesday. Blanton gave up five hits while fanning three and walking none. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 2.70 ERA and 8/1 K/BB ratio over 10 innings during Grapefruit League play and appears to be healthy after missing most of the 2011 season due to an elbow injury. The Phillies are reportedly shopping him with the idea of either sliding Kyle Kendrick into the rotation or possibly making a play to bring back Roy Oswalt.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Red Sox and Orioles had scouts in attendance for Joe Blanton's third start of the spring on Thursday. The Blue Jays are also thought to have some interest. Blanton missed most of the 2011 season due to an elbow injury, but the 31-year-old right-hander has enjoyed a healthy spring thus far and would make a fine addition to the back end of just about any major league rotation. He has a 4.32 career ERA and a 1.35 career WHIP.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Phillies would "love" to trade Joe Blanton and are prepared to eat as much as $2 million of the remaining $8.5 million on his contract. Cafardo says the Phils would just slide Kyle Kendrick into the rotation, but we wouldn't rule out them re-signing Roy Oswalt if Blanton is dealt. The Blue Jays are rumored to have interest in acquiring Blanton, who missed most of the 2011 season with an elbow injury but appears to be healthy now.