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Phillies injury update: Howie Kendrick still out indefinitely

By John Town

Mar 24, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) works out prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) works out prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies still don’t know when Howie Kendrick will return to the team. He has been out since April 16 with an oblique injury.

The Phillies have now been without their Opening Day left fielder for more than a month as Howie Kendrick has been out since April 16 with an oblique injury. From what he told reporters Wednesday, he may be out even longer.

After the team’s flight from Washington to Texas, Kendrick got off the plane and said he felt soreness in his side.

The team hoped Kendrick could take batting practice this week, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. He has been fielding ground balls in pre-game practice, but that’s about it.

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Manager Pete Mackanin told Matt Gelb of Philly.com that the team is limiting his workload:

"“He told us he’s still sore,” Mackanin said. “He doesn’t know why. But he was sore. So we backed off on his rotational movement.”"

Mackanin said he hopes Kendrick could be back in the lineup after a couple rehab games, but that seems unlikely at this point.

Kendrick isn’t quite as willing to put a date on it just yet: [quote via Todd Zolecki of MLB.com]

"“I’m never going to put a date on it because I know obliques are strange, man,” Kendrick said about his return. “It’s getting better, but it sucks. I want to play. I want to be back out there, but right now I can only work with what I’ve got.”"

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Former Phillie and current Ranger Cole Hamels, whose team Philadelphia is playing this week, went on the disabled list at the beginning of May with an oblique injury. He is expected to miss eight weeks with the injury. While the Phils weren’t as quick to give such a long recovery time, that may be the case with Kendrick at this point.

The club also gave an update on injured reliever Jeanmar Gomez who has been out since May 6 with an elbow impingement. Mackanin said Gomez will throw a bullpen session Thursday and go from there: [quote via Zolecki]

"“He’s a little tentative to let it go,” Mackanin said. “[Thursday] he’ll see how that feels and we’ll know more from there.”"

Next: Will there be a place for Cole Hamels in Philly?

In brighter injury news, Aaron Nola is set to return from the disabled list Sunday as Nick Pivetta will make his last start in the majors Thursday.

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