Randy

Wolf

A managerial change will be the biggest difference. The Phillies will have $61.25 million in committed salaries if they pick up Billy Wagner’s option, which they are expected to do. Much of the remaining payroll room (@ $28 million if budgets stay the same) will go towards the rotation, where only Randy Wolf is a sure thing. Kevin Millwood and Eric Milton are free agents (Milton would like to return but his 36 homers allowed don’t fit well in Citizens Bank Park), Vicente Padilla is arbitration-eligible, and Brett Myers is still a question mark. Ryan Madson and Gavin Floyd are expected to receive chances to claim two of the starting jobs. On offense, Chase Utley will replace free agent Placido Polanco at second base, and the only other question will be center field. They could make a run at Carlos Beltran or give Marlon Byrd one more chance in spring training.

Wolf won’t need surgery and his offseason throwing program will progress unaffected.

Wolf also said his elbow is fine after he was twice sidelined with tendinitis last year. In part because of the injuries and in part because of Philadelphia’s hitter-friendly park, Wolf should come cheaper this year than he has in some time. He wouldn’t be a bad investment at a reduced price.

Kerrigan said the problem is solvable. Wolf owners hope he’s right, as he’s gone 1-4 with a 9.30 ERA in his last six starts. Give him one more shot to get things together against the Mets later this week.

Elizardo Ramirez, who never joined the team in Montreal because of visa problems, is expected to be sent down to make room. Wolf draws a tough assignment in his first game back, so you may want to wait until next week to activate him.

Wolf threw 51 pitches (36 strikes), struck out four and walked none. He’s expected to start in Fenway Park on Sunday if he bounces back from yesterday’s game with no problems.

Wolf could return late in the coming week if things continue to go well.

Ryan Madson is expected to start in Wolf’s place Tuesday.

Wolf struck out four and topped out at 90 MPH in the outing, but he also walked three and gave up seven hits. That meant he was at 95 pitches through four innings and had to be pulled in a 3-3 tie. Wolf has struggled with command in both outings since returning from the DL, but he’s shown strikeout potential and is worth watching for 2007.

Wolf didn’t give up a run until the fifth, when Andruw Jones managed to take a curveball off the plate and deposit it into the left-field bleachers. Wolf was removed after giving up a couple of singles while getting one out in the sixth. Rick White allowed both baserunners to score, though it took some help from an Abraham Nunez error. Wolf is 0-0 with a 5.27 ERA in three starts since returning from Tommy John surgery.