Antonio Bastardo returned to action on Wednesday June 20.

Antonio Bastardo is not expected to be available Saturday. Bastardo is currently sidelined due to a cut above his left eye which was suffered as a result of a self-inflicted weight room injury. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Bastardo could miss multiple games due to swelling and possible infection.

Slowed by forearm tightness for much of the spring, Antonio Bastardo said he "finally had some life in his arm" against the Yankees on Friday. Bastardo through a perfect 1 1/3 innings, sending down Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez in order. He'll pitch again on Saturday.

Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Tuesday that he has some "mild concern" about Antonio Bastardo's lack of velocity this spring. Bastardo hasn't shown any signs of improvement after taking a week off due to forearm tightness, something the Phillies said was caused by dehydration. "I'm not seeing velocity like I should be seeing," said Dubee. "But at the same time, I think we've got that disease going through our camp where we've got a lot of dead arms right now. That happens a lot." Bastardo topped out at 91 mph with his fastball during an appearance on Sunday after averaging 92.5 mph with his heater last season. The Phillies have maintained that there isn't any structural damage with his forearm, so the cause for the diminished velocity remains a mystery.

Antonio Bastardo said Thursday that his decreased velocity this spring is a result of tightness in his muscles. The Phillies believe it's due to dehydration and have sent him for testing to determine ways to alleviate the issue. Bastardo hasn't pitched since Sunday and isn't scheduled to make his next appearance until Saturday. The 26-year-old left-hander emerged as a dominant set-up man last season, posting a 2.64 ERA and 70/26 K/BB ratio over 58 innings.

Antonio Bastardo threw a scoreless 2/3 inning in the Phillies' NLDS Game 2 loss to the Cardinals. Bastardo walked a batter, but he also recorded a strikeout. The 26-year-old struggled mightily in September after an impressive run during the summer. He's a bit of a wild card in this five-game divisional series.

Antonino Bastardo's struggles continued on Sunday, as he recorded only one out while surrendering three runs on three hits and two walks. Bastardo took the mound with a 9-0 lead in the seventh inning -- a spot normally reserved for low-end middle relievers -- to try to regain his groove against the bottom half of the Mets' batting order. After striking out the leadoff hitter, he came completely undone, and finally was pulled after throwing a wild pitch and walking Jose Reyes. Bastardo's ERA has nearly doubled this month, having yielded nine earned runs in his last 3 2/3 innings.

Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Friday that Antonio Bastardo has been tipping his pitches recently. Bastardo was untouchable for most of the season, but has allowed six runs on six hits and five walks over six innings this month. Dubee said it was an "easy fix," so we'll have to see if the changes will lead to better results.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel doesn't believe Antonio Bastardo's recent struggles are due to fatigue. "I think he has to cut the ball loose a little bit better and be a little bit more aggressive," Manuel said. "I just think it's a matter of him getting out there and getting sharp again. It's a long season." Bastardo has walked five batters and allowed three hits while recording just four outs over his past four appearances.

With Ryan Madson resting, Antonio Bastardo blew a save in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. Madson pitched on Wednesday and Thursday before getting lit up by the Nats on Friday. So Bastardo came in today to try to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but gave up a game-tying solo homer to Ian Desmond. Brad Lidge then lost the game in the bottom of the tenth. Madson's job is secure.