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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies are well aware what Roy Halladay's right arm can do. Manager Charlie Manuel wants to know what Halladay's bat can do.

Manuel, one of the game's best hitting gurus, is always talking about his passion, but in Halladay's case, it goes even deeper.

Halladay, who leads active Major League pitchers with 130 victories and in complete games with 49, has spent his entire career in the American League, where most pitchers don't even own a bat let alone use one.

Halladay likes to finish what he starts. He averages nearly eight innings per start, and his penchant for the complete game in this era is almost uncanny.

"In the AL, with the designated hitter, you can leave the pitcher in a lot longer," said Manuel. "In a close NL game, a lot of times you have to lift your starter even though he's pitching well."

When Halladay was with the Toronto Blue Jays, who traded him to the Phillies last December, he dreaded Interleague Play and the batting-practice routine. He says he would get stiff and sore from all the swings.

The former AL Cy Young Award winner, 17-10 last season with a 2.79 ERA and nine complete games, sat down with the media on Friday at Bright House Field.

"I think it's going to be a challenge," said Halladay. "You're used to one setting so much, and when you do something differently, there are adjustments that have to be made. There will be different challenges you don't anticipate."

He is looking forward to Spring Training games against NL teams when "I can work into [batting]. I think I can get better. The tough part was going from not hitting at all to taking 40 swings [while preparing for Interleague Play] and you can't move the next day. So, I plan on using a lot of Advil and working my way into it."

Halladay added that pitchers hitting in the NL "is a part of the game that can help you be successful. Anytime you can help yourself win, you're going to do as much as you can to get better at it."

Manuel said he can't remember how many times he's had to lift a pitcher because of his inability to bunt or move a runner along in a close game.

"Pitchers who can sacrifice well usually stay in games longer," the manager said. "Plus, you don't have to waste a pinch-hitter."

The art of bunting is a forgotten talent today in the Major Leagues.

If Halladay has any thoughts of continuing his seven-plus innings of work on a regular basis and taking pressure off the bullpen, learning to handle a bat is a must.

Manuel usually leaves his Spring Training home for the 30-minute drive to Bright House Field at 5:30 a.m.

When he made the trip for the first time this year, he was shocked Halladay was already at the ballpark working out.

"I couldn't believe it," said Manuel. "I'm always the first one there. But here's Halladay in the weight room, pumping iron. His work ethic is amazing. I think others can learn from it. I'm going to start getting up at 4:30!"

Halladay said he's been arriving normally at 5:45 a.m., "but there have been a few young kids who're trying to beat me, so I guess I'll have to bump it to 5:30 soon."

He said arm strength is "very important. So is core, leg strength and conditioning, especially for a starting pitcher. Holding your stamina is also important. I try to do as much as I can to cover those areas."

New York Mets ace Johan Santana began a war of words recently when he proclaimed himself the best pitcher in NL East.

"I steer clear of that," Halladay said. "I think it was a Lou Holtz quote which said: 'Well done is always more important than well said.' I've always tried to take that philosophy and try to stay out of those things."

Watching the Phillies and Yankees play in the 2009 World Series was difficult for Halladay because had the Blue Jays agreed to the proposed July deal with Philadelphia, he would have been there.

"It was tough for me," he said. "I never wanted to look forward to going somewhere other than Toronto, but knowing things had gotten close and the team I had the best chance to go to was in the World Series, that made it tough."

When the Blue Jays played the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park last June in two Interleague games, Halladay let his mind wander.

"I remember at different points in the dugout just sitting there, wondering what it would be like to be on the other side, knowing they had just won the World Series, that they were where they were in the standings [first place]," Halladay said. "It was the middle of the summer and they were playing an Interleague game in front of a sellout crowd.

"I think it's going to be very special for me."

Halladay, who had a no-trade clause, welcomed the chance to join the Phillies.

He said it's all about getting to the postseason.

"Every player strives for that," he said. "I think the older you get, the longer you play, the more important that becomes, because you never know how much longer you're going to play. I pride myself that every time I go out there -- whether I have great stuff or terrible stuff -- I'm going to give the best of my ability."

Pausing, Halladay said: "I was hoping to go somewhere where I had a chance to play in October. I never got to the point where I didn't think I could go back to Toronto. Going back for another year wouldn't have been the worst thing that ever happened to me.

"But I just didn't want to miss another opportunity, another year, where I felt like I had a chance to help a team get to the postseason. I just wanted to have a grab at it."