Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick endured another rough outing, suffering his second-straight loss Friday night against the Nationals.

Kendrick surrendered a sacrifice fly in the third and three runs in the fifth, including a two-run double to Stephen Lombardozzi. The right-hander was charged with five runs and eight hits over five innings. He struck out one and walked three.

Kendrick (4-3) has permitted nine runs and walked eight over his last 11 innings. He is scheduled to start Wednesday at home against Boston. He is 2-2 with a 4.40 ERA in five starts at home.

The Phillies had an open roster spot with Chase Utley on the disabled list Thursday, but a poorly timed slump cost Darin Ruf a chance to get back to the majors. Ruf is hitting .103 over the last seven games heading into play Friday.

The fact that Ruf can only play in the outfield or first base also hurt his chances.

"I think the better fit was someone who could play all over the field," assistant GM Scott Proefrock told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We’ve got two (interleague) games. It would be hard to find (Ruf) a place to play, and it probably wouldn’t be the right fit."

Ruf has a .772 on-base plus slugging percent at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, with a .262 batting average, a career-worst mark. 

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley called the diagnosis of a mild oblique strain a "best-case scenario" Friday, but that does not mean he is certain he will be able to return after the minimum amount of time spent on the disabled list.

"We really won't know for another week or so how it's recovering," Utley told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Obviously, I'd like to be back in 15 days. But I don’t think it's smart to come back if it's not ready."

The team hopes he will only need the minimum amount of time, but Utley will receive several updates throughout his stay on the DL. 

"I feel a little better today than I felt two days ago," Utley said, "so that’s a good sign."

The Phillies initially wanted reliever Mike Adams to get a rehab assignment in before activating him from the disabled list, but they announced Friday that he is ready and will be back with the team Sunday. Adams has been out with a back strain and is eligible to return for the first time Sunday.

Adams threw live batting practice Friday and had no problems with his back, so the team will have him skip the minors.

"While he was a little rusty at not having thrown in several days, he physically felt fine," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.  

The Phillies have transferred starting pitcher Roy Halladay (shoulder) to the 60-day disabled list, clearing a spot for Michael Martinez on the roster.

Halladay reported to the team's spring training complex this week to begin his post-surgery rehab program. He is expected to be out until at least late August.