June 13 -- ALABAMA-BOUND

Spoke yesterday with Peter Greenberg, Freddy Garcia's agent, and he seems to think Garcia will need at least some kind of surgery to repair the damage in his right shoulder. That's why Garcia is heading to Birmingham, Ala., today to see renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews.

The Phillies aren't admitting it, but I've spoken with people who said the team has prescribed rest and rehabilitation for Garcia, a course of action that would allow him to pitch again this season. But Garcia is pitching for a contract this winter, and if his shoulder isn't going to allow him to be as effective as he's been in the past, he doesn't see the sense in pitching at all until he gets the problem fixed. Greenberg is hoping Andrews can correct it arthroscopically with a less invasive type of surgery that would allow Garcia to rehab and pitch again this season. Greenberg seemed to think that would be the best-case scenario. Still, I wouldn't count on seeing Garcia any time soon.

Stay tuned. This is only going to get more interesting.

* Despite all of their problems -- Garcia's ineffectiveness/injury, losing closers Tom Gordon and Brett Myers in a three-week span, Ryan Howard being on the disabled list for two weeks, Pat Burrell batting .222 and Wes Helms hitting no homers -- the Phillies are somehow only three games behind the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ten days ago, they were 8-1/2 games back. They're 30-20 since they started the season 4-11 and held that team meeting in Cincinnati. I think Charlie Manuel deserves a little credit, doesn't he?

* Chase Utley and Cole Hamels have to be mortal locks for the All-Star Game, don't they? Hamels said he expects nothing less from himself than an All-Star appearance each year: "It's anybody's goal. What's the point of trying to be the best if you're not trying to go to the All-Star Game where the best play?" Good point. Ozzie Guillen thinks Hamels is an All-Star. "The kid is legit," the White Sox manager said after last night's 7-3 Phillies win. "He's the best pitcher we've faced in the National League so far."

* Here's a scouting report on Kyle Kendrick from someone who'd know.

* Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander no-hit the Brewers tonight. Verlander faces the Phillies on Sunday at The Bank.

* Traffic tip: I live 20 minutes from the ballpark, and it took me nearly an hour to get home last night. 95 South, at least at night, is a parking lot because of construction, so do yourself a favor and find an alternate route. You can thank me later.