Adam Morgan Leaves Start After Being Hit by Batted Ball
Another Phillies starting pitcher bites the dust
Adam Morgan was forced to leave Sunday’s start early after being hit by a line drive. Rockies catcher Nick Hundley lined a pitch directly at Morgan, who took the ball to his pitching arm.
Morgan instantly fell to the ground, and could not make an attempt on the play in the top of the fourth inning.
Phillies trainers immediately tended to Morgan as he sat on the mound. Morgan pulled himself from the game, and was listed with an arm contusion.
Morgan going down adds insult to injury for the Phillies, who have already lost Charlie Morton, Aaron Nola, and Zach Eflin to major injuries.
Jeremy Hellickson is still day-to-day with a back injury, but he says he anticipates making his start this week against the Dodgers.
Morgan was called-up specifically to fill the void left by Eflin, who was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot and tendonitis in both his knees.
Starting pitching depth is very weak in the Phillies organization thanks to the injury bug. The next name who could be called up would be David Buchanan, who has pitched in Lehigh Valley all season.
Losing Brett Oberholtzer to waivers makes the Phillies pitching situation even more dire.
Severino Gonzalez has history as a starter, but has made the move to the bullpen. The Phillies could opt to let him start a game or two while they prepare for the September roster expansion.
As far as prospects, Ben Lively would be the next man up among the younger players. Acquired in the Marlon Byrd trade on New Years Eve in 2014, Lively was promoted from Reading to Lehigh Valley early in the season.
Lively has a combined record of 14-5 with a 2.86 ERA between Reading and Lehigh Valley this season. He struck out six batters in his last start over six innings while giving up three runs.
Phil Klein, who made one start for the Phillies after being claimed off waivers, is in Triple-A if the Phillies are desperate for a starter. He went eight innings with 11 strikeouts Sunday for Lehigh Valley.