Once again, Kris Benson is on the mend. Benson is fully recovered from a groin strain he suffered on April 26th, and has begun to long-toss. Barring no additional setbacks, he’s scheduled to pitch this weekend in an extended spring training game.

Benson, who is attempting a return from rotator cuff surgery, has had some setbacks in his quest to return to the big leagues. In mid-March he was sidelined with bicep tendonitis.  This sidelined him for three weeks. After he began throwing, he was finally was ready for game action, and he made his debut in extended spring training.  Unfortunately he ended up straining his groin in the 3rd inning.

The original plan for Benson was for him to join the Phillies in mid-May. Given his setbacks, mid-June has become a more realistic option.

The best case scenario for Benson will work out like this. If Benson has a successful outing this weekend, he’ll have a couple more starts before playing in some minor league games. At that point, the Phillies will have to decide whether or not to add him to the 40-man roster (which if he’s healthy, there’s no reason they wouldn’t). He’ll start at Clearwater, and work his way up to Lehigh-Valley. Once he has 5 or 6 minor league starts under his belt, is pain-free, and has his command, is when he’ll look to join the Phillies.

Benson has a long road ahead of him, but he has the ability and drive to pitch for the Phillies this year. Although the Phillies rotation has been one of their strengths this season, you can never have too much pitching. Whether it is filling in due to an injury, or spot starting while working out of the bullpen, Kris Benson will make a contribution in Philadelphia this season.