Thankfully, a long Spring Training is in the books. Now the Philadelphia Phillies prepare to take the field for the marathon 2017 season. What does it hold?
As Spring Training winds down every year, each team is hoping to head back home with the roster intact. No injuries. No unfortunate surprise suspensions. Just bring the whole group of players back home with a month’s worth of at-bats under their belts.
The Phils were able to make it through the entire month of March with none of the above occurring. The new faces and returning faces are all healthily traveling to Cincinnati for Monday’s season opener, and manager Pete Mackanin could not be more thrilled. He will have his full starting rotation, eight regulars, and a bullpen choked-full of improved arms.
That does not mean the season does not come without intrigue, though. There are headlines aplenty as the Phils prepare for the long season ahead. Some on the field at the big-league level, others at the minor league level, and some in the dugout and behind the scenes.