Green Bay -- Cliff Lee has not confused publicly to be traded including Phillies teammate Jonathan Papelbon, although His may not stand in the way of a change connected with scenery.

But that will be tough to complete before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Lee pitched Saturday for the first time since May 20 following a lengthy stint around the disabled list because of a blocked left elbow. It was his or her first of two starts to win over scouts before the Deadline, but this individual allowed 12 hits, six runs, one walk then one home run and struck out three in just 5 2/3 innings in a very 7-4 loss to the Giants on Citizens Bank Park.

'I never care about the [trade] rumors,Inch said Lee, whose 12 hits tied a career large. 'It doesn't matter. My goal was to get out there and try to give the team to be able to win. Obviously, I didn't do this as well as I would have loved. But it's the first one back. I should get back into a groove and only do that. That's where my concentration is. I couldn't care less about the scouts in the stands or trade rumors or some of that. That doesn't mean anything to me personally.'

Even if Lee dazzles in his up coming start Saturday against the D-backs, it is not easy to see him being relocated before July 31. Squads will want to feel comfortable about Lee's functionality before shipping top leads to the Phillies and taking on many of the remaining $37.5 million in his contract following this time of year. (The deal jumps to $52.Your five million over the next 2 seasons if His pitches 200 or more innings next year to automatically vest his 2016 club option.)

One solid start following an elbow injury would certainly test even the gutsiest of standard managers.

Fifteen scouts from multiple agencies (scouts spotted include those in the Blue Jays, Orioles, Pirates, Mariners, Lions, Angels, Brewers, Royals, Giants, Ranger and D-backs) attended Lee's start, yet not every scout came to see him. Some came within their regular coverage, while others reached see other Phillies players offered before the Trade Deadline, similar to left-hander Antonio Bastardo, who is drawing interest of all the team in need of bullpen help.

In a best-case scenario, those who came regarding Lee would have seen him pitch like His had in past times.

Maybe they will see that Saturday.

Lee put first-pitch strikes to just 13 of the 28 batters His challenged. Consider for a second they threw first-pitch strikes to 68.1 percent of the batters His or she faced since His rejoined the Phillies in 2011, according to FanGraphs. That ranked second among qualifying pitchers. His ability to pound the affect zone is why His positioned first with a 6.Fifty six strikeout-to-walk ratio in that same amount.

But Lee could not find the hit zone Monday. His put 90 pitches, just 59 for strikes. His fastball lay in the 88-90 mph range at night time, which is about where it was earlier this season.

'I think We spiked four fastballs in the initially inning,' Lee said. 'I don't know if I've ever done which. I've got to make some adjustments for one, but the first the first is out of the way.'

One scout said Lee's control and execution in the attack zone wasn't 'Cliff-like,' which is true. But on the bright side, His said Lee maintained their velocity throughout the 90-pitch night, which has been an indication the poor results were most likely rust-related and not health-related.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg agreed.

'Rusty,In . His said. 'It was evident in the actual first inning, going 2-0 on the first couple of batters. His showed many rust there. And when His or she was throwing strikes, this individual seemed to not be on the edges. Not the command this individual normally has, balls were in the plate.'

Lee's health is obviously important. His potentially could obvious waivers next month, which would give the Phillies a chance to trade him before the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline. But when Lee doesn't clear waivers plus the Phillies can't cut a deal inside August, they can try to industry him again in the offseason any time more than contending teams come in the market for starting pitching support.

Not that Lee is concerned with that. His has been traded 4x already.

'I've never cared about of which,' His said. 'I still do not. ... It's not my job to generate trades and acquire players. We're going to let them do their job upstairs. Our responsibility as players is to just go compete and try to win. This really is that simple to me. I'm not going to get caught up in trades and all the questions. I'm a Phillie and I want that team to win for going to do everything I can to aid that happen. That's really the item.'

Livermore (Calif.) High School graduate J.Ur. Graham was his team's Most valuable player in his senior year. His hit .418 with 20 RBIs. After winning a host of local and state awards, Graham chose to attend Santa claus Clara University, where His was a two-way player, pitching and taking part in infield and outfield for the Broncos in his several years there. His showed ample velocity to pitch anywhere needed, starting and even shutting during his tenure at the Jesuit university. In his junior year in the year 2011, Graham averaged only 0.68 guides per nine innings.

After Graham graduated from Livermore, this Oakland Athletics liked them enough to select him inside 46th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. But it was the particular fourth-round selection by the Atlanta Braves this season that convinced him to turn into a professional pitcher.

The right-handed-pitching Graham is Twenty four years old and is No. 11 on the Braves' Top 20 Prospective customers list.

Graham does not fit the existing trend of bigger-than-life physical pitchers. In reality, he's 6 feet and that His weighs just 195 pounds. Graham's powerful arm is really a surprise. She has little difficulty reaching the mid-90s on his fastball and can strike 100 mph upon celebration.

Graham pitched for the Braves' Rookie-level Danville club inside Appalachian League to begin his career. His threw 57 2/3 innings, commencing eight of the 13 online games in which His appeared. Graham had a very fine 1.72 ERA and a WHIP of 1.13.

The following year, Graham delivered at both Class A new Advanced Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi. His had a great campaign once again, selling exclusively as a starter as well as throwing 148 combined innings. Graham finished 12 months with a 2.80 Time and a record of 12-2. This individual was named Atlanta's Organizational Pitcher of the Year.

Things changed a bit pertaining to Graham in 2013. A make strain shut him along from mid-May until the end of the year.

This time of year, Graham has returned to Double-A Ms. Showing His had recovered by his shoulder woes, His an ERA of 1.86 in five April starts. Graham seemed to be selected to the Southern Group All-Star Game, where I noticed him pitch this past Come early july in Chattanooga, Tenn. His plonked two-thirds of an inning, yielding a run using two hits. Graham gave up your home run to Scott Schebler of the Dodgers' organization.

While risk of harm still lingers with any kind of pitcher that has been shut down using shoulder issues, Graham did not require surgery during his time for the disabled list in 2013. When I saw him, His or she was throwing free and. Graham has a very reliable slider from the mid-80s, and an improving changeup accompanies his sinking fastball to form a repertoire that will serves him well. His could use those pitches within the rotation or the bullpen. Graham pounds the lower portion of the strike zone, inducting enough ground balls to emerge from trouble if needed.

Graham has frequency with good command and command as a professional in the Braves' group. Mirroring his low college walk rate, Graham has been effective in keeping his walk rate beneath three per nine innings for the majority of of his Minor Nfl career. If there is any real hiccup that may cause concern, referring when His misses with his pitch and gets the ball in the zone or hangs a slider. Graham can get hit tricky at times. His can also get away trouble quickly by organizing his late-breaking sinker.

Graham's ability to keep hitters off balance with his fastball-slider combination is a factor that could speed his advancement to the major leagues. Mature and confident on the mound, His has the ability to keep the same arm angle along with repeat his delivery continually from pitch to toss. This year, left-handed batters are really scuffling in opposition to Graham's offerings, hitting only .226. Then again, righties are hitting at a .306 video.

Given Graham's sharp command and beneficial control, and his experience in many pitching roles, Atlanta has got the luxury of being able to use the high-powered fastball and secondary pitches as a starter or reliever, depending upon the team's needs.