Joe Blanton worked a pair of scoreless innings in his start against the Yankees on Monday. Blanton, who missed most of 2011 with elbow problems, could be a trade candidate if he shows he's healthy this spring. The Phillies have him penciled in as their fifth starter, but if they could shed his salary, it'd give them more flexibility to make trades this summer or maybe even lead to a Roy Oswalt re-signing.

Joe Blanton (elbow) said he's experienced no discomfort with the injury thus far. "I didn't really stop throwing throughout the winter," Blanton said. "I haven't had any problems. I threw in instructional league after the season was over. I made two starts and didn't have any problems. So I'm very optimistic I'll be able to stay healthy all year." The Phillies unsuccessfully shopped Blanton this offseason, ostensibly to open enough money to re-sign Roy Oswalt. Blanton, 31, posted a 5.01 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 41 1/3 innings last season while fighting elbow issues. He's penciled in as the club's fifth starter.

ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies have been shopping right-hander Joe Blanton. Blanton's name always seems to be on the trading block, but the Phillies have a real purpose this time around. If they can dump all or part of his $8.5 million salary for 2012 on another team, re-signing Roy Oswalt could become a real option. Blanton, 31, posted a 5.01 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 41 1/3 innings last season while fighting elbow issues. It won't be an easy sell.

Joe Blanton said his elbow is feeling great and he's throwing the ball better than he has in years. Blanton missed most of the 2011 season with an elbow injury but has played catch nearly every day since mid-December and is pleased with how he feels and how the ball is coming out of his hand. "Hopefully, I'm a step ahead this year," Blanton said. "I just want to make sure everything's going to be fine mechanically." The 31-year-old will hold down the No. 5 spot in the Phillies rotation.

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said Tuesday that Joe Blanton (elbow) will be assured of a rotation spot this season if he's healthy. Blanton was limited to just 41 1/3 innings at the major-league level last season due to an elbow injury, but Proefrock said he's already throwing and feeling good. "This is a big year for him," said Proefrock. "It's his free-agent year and we expect he'll pitch well for us." The 30-year-old is owed $8.5 million in 2012 in the final year of his three-year, $24 million contract.

Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that "all indications" are that Joe Blanton is over the elbow injury that cost him most of the 2011 season. Blanton returned late in the season and also made a few appearances in the Florida Instructional League, showing that his elbow is sound. The 30-year-old is expected to assume a spot at the back-end of the Phillies' rotation next season, replacing the departed Roy Oswalt among the starting five.

Pitching in an instructional league game over the weekend, Joe Blanton tossed five innings of one-run ball. His fastball registered regularly at 90 mph, and he felt good about his mechanics. "I'm just going to give it a rest," Blanton said of his bothersome elbow, "keep playing catch a bit, doing it light." The 30-year-old will enter 2012 in the final season of a three-year contract.

Joe Blanton is on the roster for the NLDS against the Cardinals. He ultimately got the call over David Herndon as the final pitcher on the roster. Blanton, who missed most of the season with an elbow injury, posted a 2.57 ERA and 11/0 K/BB ratio over seven innings after returning from the disabled list earlier this month. Utility infielder Pete Orr and catcher Erik Kratz will travel with the team as extra players.

Joe Blanton will start the Phillies' season finale on Wednesday against the Braves. The Phillies were considering turning the start over to the bullpen, but instead they'll give Blanton a long audition for an October relief spot. The Braves could be playing for their Wild Card lives in the regular season finale.

Joe Blanton could make the Phillies' postseason roster. Blanton started the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets and tossed two shutout innings. He showed good velocity on his fastball and even struck out three batters. The Phillies could view him as a potentially valuable long reliever.