Bailey making pitch to be Phillies closer

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - He was three more conquered batters closer to a goal that a 31-year-old survivor of shoulder surgery no longer considers paramount. Yes, Andrew Bailey said, everyone wants to be the closer. But surgery, which rendered the former rookie of the year and all-star reliever an afterthought, forces one to reassess his priorities.

"I felt good," Bailey said Tuesday after striking out the side for his fourth scoreless outing of the spring.

And, in the quest to find the next Phillies closer, that is an important step. David Hernandez, signed to a $3.9 million contract in the winter and the presumed closer before spring training began, may return to Grapefruit League action by…