June 22: BONUS COVERAGE

The Phillies notebook from last night wasn't posted online in its entirety, so here it is, in case you missed ...

By SCOTT LAUBER
The News Journal
PHILADELPHIA – Before a game the other day, Larry Bowa spotted Bobby Abreu on the field at Citizens Bank Park and went to say hello to his former right fielder.
“He looked like something was bothering him, and I said, ‘You OK?’” Bowa said Wednesday. “He said, ‘I’m taking a little heat.’ I said, ‘Sometimes, a change of scenery is good.’”
To that, Abreu smiled.
Bowa, now the Yankees’ third-base coach, related the same story Tuesday on a New York radio station, except the former Phillies manager said Abreu was the one who suggested a change.
“I didn’t say that,” Abreu said Wednesday. “Honestly, I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. I don’t really follow if they’re going to trade me or not. Whatever happens is going to happen.”
At the winter meetings last December, the Phillies discussed dealing Abreu, who makes $13.6 million this season and is due $15 million in 2007, but were unable to land the ace pitcher they continue to crave.
The Yankees, with injured outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield sidelined until at least September, are looking for another hitter.
During his WFAN interview, Bowa said of Abreu, “If you put him on another ballclub, I think he’d go off. I think he’s stagnant here.”
On Wednesday, Bowa added that he thinks Abreu, a .302 hitter with a .413 on-base percentage in 11 seasons, is underappreciated in Philadelphia, where he’s routinely booed for a perceived lack of effort and defensive foibles in right field.
“People don’t realize what he does,” Bowa said. “Sometimes, you don’t really know how good a guy is until he’s gone. Not many guys can do what he does.”
Asked if he feels like he’s being treated unfairly here, Abreu smiled.
“Since the start of the season, I think I’ve played good,” he said. “Last week, I made a couple mistakes in the outfield, and now I’m not good? It doesn’t bother me.”
Abreu has a no-trade clause. Would he waive it if the Yankees came calling?
“If it comes to that, I’d have to think about it,” he said.
ROTATION SHUFFLE
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said rookie right-hander Scott Mathieson won’t start in Boston this weekend but may be used out of the bullpen. Mathieson’s next start likely will be Tuesday or Wednesday nights against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Right-handers Ryan Madson, Brett Myers and Cory Lidle will start against the Red Sox. Boston will start Josh Beckett on Friday night and Curt Schilling on Saturday.
WOLF WHACKED
Left-hander Randy Wolf, starting for Class AA Reading, lasted only 3-2/3 innings against Erie. He allowed six runs, six hits, two walks and struck out five and threw 71 pitches (46 for strikes).
HOWARD’S POWER
Ryan Howard’s upper-deck home run Tuesday night, the first hit in 3-year-old Citizens Bank Park, was caught by 9-year-old Daniel Levine of Newark. His seat (Section 304, Row 1, Seat 8) was marked by a white ‘H.’
On Wednesday, Yankees manager Joe Torre was still talking about Howard’s 3-for-4, seven-RBI performance.
“He’s something special,” Torre said. “He reminded us, unfortunately, of David Ortiz.”
NOT READY YET
Still unable to run at full speed, catcher Mike Lieberthal (hip) ruled himself out of playing this weekend in Boston. He will try to run again at Fenway Park and said he may play in a few minor league games early next week for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
INSIDE PITCHES
With the Phillies playing their next nine games in American League parks, Manuel said Pat Burrell will be the DH while David Dellucci or Shane Victorino play left field. Burrell continues to be hampered by a sore right foot. … Manuel on setup man Arthur Rhodes’ 7.22 ERA in 49 career appearances against the Yanks: “There’s probably a lot of pitchers whose record wasn’t so good against the Yankees.”
Contact Scott Lauber at slauber@delawareonline.com.