PHILADELPHIA -- The third opinion on Randy Wolf's elbow confirmed the first two, increasing the likelihood that the lefty will have Tommy John surgery.

Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Wolf on Monday, and agreed with the diagnosis made by team doctor Michael Ciccotti and Dr. James Andrews. Wolf will meet with Ciccotti on Tuesday to go over the scenarios.

Surgery, which would likely keep Wolf out until at least the 2006 All-Star break, will come up often during the discussion.

"The diagnosis of all three doctors were consistent," said general manager Ed Wade. "Randy could opt to rehab, but the feeling is, that at some point, he's going to have to have this addressed. All three doctors are agreeing that you can try to take a conservative approach, but I don't think there was any dispute that the most effective way is to have the surgery."

Wolf could decide on Tuesday. His absence leaves the Phillies without a lefty starter in their rotation, something manager Charlie Manuel would prefer to see rectified.

"I would like a lefty," Manuel said. "I think that's very important, to have balance in your staff. We can win without a lefty in the rotation, but I think it helps. Different looks count. If you have five pitchers that all look the same, it can get tough. You need different type pitchers to offset the other team."

That's where Wade comes in, should the Phillies decide to trade for a pitcher. In the short term, the team is going with a rotation of Jon Lieber, Brett Myers, Vicente Padilla, Cory Lidle and Rob Tejeda, who hasn't allowed a run in his two starts.

Should the Phillies decide to bring in outside help, slugging first base prospect Ryan Howard could be used as trade bait. The lefty is tearing up Triple-A pitching.

Worrell update: Seventy miles east of Philadelphia, reliever Tim Worrell took his first step toward returning.

The veteran started for the Class A Lakewood Blue Claws on Tuesday and pitched 1 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

He's scheduled to pitch for Lakewood through the end of the week and then go to Double-A Reading. Philadelphia hopes to have Worrell back in time for the Pittsburgh series the first week of July.

"We'd like to get him to that every other day and one back-to-back [outing] before we reinstate him, just acknowledging the amount of time he missed and to try to give him enough work to get sharp," said Wade.

Rotation shuffle: Padilla will skip his turn Wednesday with tendinitis in his neck, but Charlie Manuel expects him to be ready for Saturday.

The official diagnosis lists the discomfort as inflammation of his levator scapulae, a muscle on the left side of the neck that attaches to the clavicle.

This is the latest in a series of injuries for Padilla. He missed the first few weeks of the season with tendinitis in his right elbow, then was skipped once before with a sore back. He's expected to make his next turn.

Tejeda will start in his place, with Lidle to follow on Thursday afternoon. Lieber is scheduled to open the Boston series on Friday, with Myers taking his turn on Sunday.

Hamels returns: While Wolf contemplates season-ending surgery, the organization's top lefty pitching prospect started down his road to recovery -- his first professional start since June 4 of last season.

Cole Hamels started for Class A Lakewood, his first appearance of the 2005 season. Hamels' debut had been delayed because of a broken finger suffered in a January bar fight. The lefty had been pitching at extended Spring Training.

Since it's never too early to speculate, questions have already begun regarding Hamels' big league arrival.

"I think we have to go first things first," said Wade. "He's about to take a pretty significant step pitching in Clearwater. At the same time, we're paying attention to it."

Wade had to love what he saw from Hamels' season debut, as the prized prospect tossed five hitless innings and struck out eight.

While no on doubts that Hamels will pitch in the big leagues one day, there is some debate as to when that might be. Could it be as early as August?

"We're talking about a guy that hasn't been above Double-A yet," said Manuel. "I can't sit here and say he has a chance of getting here. That doesn't mean he won't be, either. He has to pitch some first. Let's see. He has to show good enough command and ability to get here."

On deck: Tejeda (1-0, 2.18 ERA) hasn't given up a run since being moved into the starting rotation, a span of 10 innings. With Wolf expected to have Tommy John surgery, Tejeda could seize the permanent spot.

On Wednesday, the right-hander will oppose New York's Victor Zambrano the second game of the series.