Aaron Altherr’s injury is worse than expected: What happens to the outfield
The Phillies outfield is getting a facelift as the trade deadline approaches
Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock announced prior to the series finale in Miami outfielder Aaron Altherr’s hamstring injury is worse than anticipated.
An MRI revealed a “mild-medium” strain of his right hamstring, which could put the Phillies more productive hitter on ice for at least a month.
Proefrock also announced Howie Kendrick will play in Reading on a rehab assignment and could rejoin the team in the near future. Philadelphia will be starting a 10-game home series on Friday, and Kendrick could return as early as this weekend.
It appears Kendrick won’t miss an exceedingly large number of games during this homestand, eliminating the need to make another roster move.
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Daniel Nava is playing left field for the matinee in Miami Wednesday afternoon as the Phillies continue to feature him heading towards the trade deadline.
Cam Perkins could also get playing time after collecting two hits and two RBIs in a win Tuesday night. Perkins may also be a demotion candidate when Kendrick comes off the disabled list, as his first major league campaign has resulted in a .200 batting average.
Kendrick will likely platoon with Nava leading up to the deadline, and if Kendrick’s bat shows flashes of life the Phils may be able to find value at the trade deadline.
However, it may take time for teams to get a green light on Kendrick from a physical standpoint, potentially pushing his tenure in red pinstripes into August as a waiver trade candidate.
Once Kendrick is gone the team will have time to evaluate Altherr’s ailing hamstring, and will have decisions to make regarding the outfield. The team has been reluctant to call up top prospects for a short period of time, but could Dylan Cozens’ 22 home runs entice them enough to give him a shot in left field?
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We’ll also keep an eye on Rhys Hoskins and the Tommy Joseph situation at first base, as Hoskins is knocking on the major league door.