Phillies: Five things to watch for vs the Rockies

Jul 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the sunset in the sixth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the sunset in the sixth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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May 19, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (middle) is attended to by a team trainer and manager Pete Mackanin (45) after suffering an apparent injury on a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Hellickson would leave the game. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (middle) is attended to by a team trainer and manager Pete Mackanin (45) after suffering an apparent injury on a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Hellickson would leave the game. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries are starting to pile up

The Phillies got Aaron Nola back from the disabled list against the Pirates but both Daniel Nava and Jeremy Hellickson suffered injuries during Friday’s win.

Hellickson felt his back tighten up after an aggressive swing during the seventh inning. He was able to ground a RBI double down the left field line, but it was clear he was hurt. Manager Pete Mackanin decided not to take any chances with Hellickson and removed him from the game.

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Hellickson told reporters Saturday morning that he should be able to make his next start against the Rockies Wednesday, but it’s still something to keep an eye on.

Nava hurt his hamstring beating out a double play early in the game but he was able to stay in the game. He doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly a few innings later but was taken out. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly said Nava was “day-to-day.” Nava hasn’t played since Friday and he isn’t sure when he will return.

In addition, while Michael Saunders didn’t get hurt during the Pirates series, he hasn’t looked the same after being pulled from the last game of the Rangers series with a groin injury. He replaced Nava after he suffered his hamstring injury and started Saturday and Sunday. Saunders was 0-for-10 with three strikeouts against the Pirates this weekend.

Next: Five Things We Learned From Pirates Series

Saunders was actually hitting fairly well in the two series prior to this weekend, so maybe the groin injury is more serious than anticipated. His injury, along with Hellickson’s and Nava’s, should be monitored as one of the team’s trade assets for this season.

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