Raul Ibanez went 0-2 with a strikout and a walk last night while playing left field for the Double-A Reading Phillies. Ibanez said “I felt better than even I expected” after the game, referring to the groin injury that’s landed him on the DL and caused even more discomfort in delaying his return one week.

The Bucks County Courier Times says Ibanez should have the 10 minor league at-bats Charlie Manuel wanted him to take under his belt by Wednesday. He is expected to come off the DL on Thursday. The timetable for Ibanez’s return is favorable for him to start for the NL in next Tuesday’s All Star Game. A first-time selection at age 37, Ibanez must be pleased that his groin will be healthy enough for him to accept the honor and play in the Midsummer Classic in St. Louis.

Speaking of Ibanez’s advanced age, the BCCT article cited above mentions an interesting connection between Ibanez and his current Reading Phillies teammate and hot pitching prospect, Kyle Drabek: Ibanez’s first Major League hit was off Drabek’s father and former Cy Young winner, Doug Drabek. Ibanez reached safely on a triple on August 16, 1997.