Phillies place three on disabled list

The Phillies announced today that pitchers Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, and J.C. Romero will all start the season on the 15-day disabled list. Blanton is out with an oblique strain while Lidge and Romero are still recovering from offseason surgery. All three are expected to be back by the middle of April.

Blanton was expected to be a number three starter behind Halladay and Hamels.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro confirmed that the team has had contact with the representatives of Jarrod Washburn and Pedro Martinez, but there is no indication that the team will add one of them as a replacement or alternative just yet.