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Phillies Center Fielder Odubel Herrera Scratched from Lineup Due to Cramps

By John Town

Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) and Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) workout prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) and Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) workout prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to cramps he suffered after Tuesday’s game.

Wednesday’s Phillies lineup for their game against the Yankees will look as such:

  1. 2B Cesar Hernandez
  2. LF Howie Kendrick
  3. 1B Daniel Nava
  4. 3B Maikel Franco
  5. RF Michael Saunders
  6. CF Aaron Altherr
  7. C Ryan Hanigan
  8. SS Pedro Florimon
  9. P Vincent Velasquez

One player who is notably missing from the lineup is center fielder Odubel Herrera. Matt Breen of Philly.com reported that Herrera suffered cramps on the bus ride home from Fort Myers Tuesday. Breen said the move was “precautionary.”

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Herrera has just 19 spring training at-bats due to playing for his home country of Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year old has six hits and three RBI so far this spring. Herrera struggled in the WBC, managing just one hit in 11 at-bats.

Altherr replaced Herrera in center field after hitting a home run in Philadelphia’s 9-5 win over the Twins Tuesday. He has put together a nice spring so far.

Altherr has a .302/.388/.604 slash line to go along with three home runs and nine RBI. He saw extended playing time with Herrera in the WBC.

Moving on to the rest of the lineup, it is notably bereft of any of the team’s expected starters. Just half of the eight position players in the lineup are expected to be in the lineup come Opening Day.

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Kendrick is back in left field after starting Tuesday’s game at second base. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported that Kendrick will see some time at both first and third base by the end of spring training. That versatility could help the team should the injury bug strike this season.

Outfielder and non-roster invitee Nava will also start the game at first base. He isn’t new to the position – Nava has 252.2 career innings at first base – but showing that versatility to the coaching staff couldn’t hurt. Nava is in competition with Chris Coghlan for the fifth outfield job, and the latter has already shown some versatility in camp.

Nava needs to play catch-up if he wants to find a spot on this team.

Velasquez will make his fourth start of the spring. In nine innings so far, Velasquez has allowed just one earned run and struck out 11 batters so far.

Next: Phillies 2017 Season Preview: SP (RP?) Adam Morgan

Philadelphia will face off against Masahiro Tanaka, who has not given up a run in four spring outings so far.

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