June 22 -- RELIEF?

ST. LOUIS -- Help may be on the way for the Phillies' battered bullpen.

May be on the way.

The Phils just announced they have signed lefty reliever J.C. Romero to a minor-league contract. Classic low-risk, possible-reward move. Romero, who had been designated for assignment and released by the Red Sox, will begin working out in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but the Phillies are hoping he'll be ready to join them shortly.

Recently, the Phillies said they weren't interested in Romero. Why the change of heart? Well, assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said triple-A left-hander Matt Smith may be more seriously injured than the Phillies thought when they shut him down last week with elbow tendinitis. A few years ago, when he pitched for the Twins, Romero was one of the best lefty relievers in baseball. He had a 3.15 ERA for the Sox but struggled to throw strikes. He put 39 runners on base in 20 innings and threw 195 strikes and 171 balls. But the Phillies are hoping he'll be more consistent than Mike Zagurski, Yoel Hernandez, Geoff Geary, etc.

Injury updates: Jon Lieber (strained right ankle) is slated to start Wednesday against the Reds. ... Tom Gordon (strained rotator cuff) will throw to hitters Monday in Clearwater and may begin pitching in minor-league games by the end of next week. ... Brett Myers (strained right shoulder) will throw a bullpen session today but won't be ready to pitch for the Phillies until after July 1.