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Phillies: Howie Kendrick exits game after HBP

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run single in the fifth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run single in the fifth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Phillies outfielder Howie Kendrick can not avoid the injury bug

Howie Kendrick left the Phillies game Wednesday night against the Houston Astros after taking a Mike Fiers pitch to the left hand. He was replaced in the bottom of the fourth by pinch-hitter Cam Perkins, who stayed in the game as the left fielder.

The official statement from the club was left-hand soreness during the game. It’s assumed Kendrick will undergo an x-ray to determine if he suffered a broken bone.

Once believed to be Philadelphia’s greatest trade asset entering the season, Howie Kendrick has turned into an injury waiting to happen. An oblique injury in late April cost Kendrick more than a month of playing time, as did a hamstring injury in late-June.

With less than a week until the MLB trade deadline, it’s highly unlikely Philadelphia can get anything of value for Kendrick. This despite the 34-year-old hitting .343 going into Wednesday’s game.

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Acquired from the Dodgers for throw-away players Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney, Kendrick was not only expected to be a valuable trade asset but a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Team insider Jayson Stark has alluded to the leadership not completely coming through with Kendrick because he doesn’t hold a long-term stake in the franchise.

Regardless of whether x-rays come up negative or not general manager Matt Klentak will struggle to move Kendrick by the July 31st deadline, at least for a profitable return. Kendrick will likely remain with the team through the July deadline and be placed on revocable trade waivers in August, giving the Phillies more time to make a move.

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Until then, expect the team to platoon Kendrick in left field with Aaron Altherr, who could also get time in center field with Odubel Herrera’s latest benching.

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