Feb. 28 -- UNION MEETING

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- There's one question that has been running through my mind since J.C. Romero received a 50-game suspension last month for taking an over-the-counter supplement that triggered a positive drug test. Romero contends the Players' Association advised that any supplement purchased at a U.S. retail store would be safe. But after the suspension was announced, the union's legal counsel, Michael Weiner, staunchly denied that suggestion.

So, here's my question: Did the union let Romero down?

"That's for you to decide," Romero said last Saturday when I chatted with him after the Phillies worked out here.

Clearly, though, Romero isn't happy with the Players' Association. I asked if he'd speak up during the Phillies' annual spring-training meeting with union chief Don Fehr. His answer, I thought, was revealing.

"I don't want to be here for that because I may snap," he said.

No such luck. One day before Romero is slated to leave camp and join Puerto Rico's team for the World Baseball Classic, Fehr is here to meet with the Phillies. In fact, the meeting started about 20 minutes ago. We'll have reaction from Romero -- and hopefully, from Fehr -- when it concludes.

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Also on tap for today: Pat Burrell is expected to be in the house, as the Phillies face the Rays here at Bright House. We'll let you know what he has to say. And Kyle Kendrick makes his first bid to be the No. 5 starter.

Today's lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins; CF Shane Victorino; LF Raul Ibanez; 1B Ryan Howard; RF Jayson Werth; DH Greg Dobbs; 2B Miguel Cairo; 3B Jason Donald; C Ronny Paulino.

More in a bit.