Phillies likely to start season with two players on the shelf

Two key role players will likely miss Opening Day for the Phillies.

Phillies relief pitcher Tommy Hunter and outfielder Roman Quinn are both expected to start the 2019 season on the injured list, according to multiple Phillies beat writers.

The speedster Quinn is recovering from a right oblique strain, and given his susceptibility to injuries the Phillies will likely move him along slowly.

Quinn played just 45 games in 2017 (all with Lehigh Valley) and played 50 major league games in 2018 while battling various injuries. The former second round pick has never played more than 88 games in a season since being drafted in 2011.

Expect the Phillies to open the season with Andrew McCutchen, Odubel Herrera, Bryce Harper, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr as their major league outfielders. Dylan Cozens will likely start the season in Lehigh Valley despite hitting four home runs in Spring Training.

Hunter, one of Philadelphia’s veteran set-up arms, is rehabbing from a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right arm.  Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported that Hunter is “not concerned” about his arm and that this injury is an annual thing for him in the spring.

Philadelphia has plenty of depth in the bullpen after signing David Robertson and acquiring Juan Nicascio, James Pazos, and Jose Alvarez in trades during the offseason.

Pat Neshek, Seranthony Dominguez, and Hector Neris are among those returning who are locks to make the bullpen. Given the long season, it’s best to move Hunter along slowly and allow some young arms to get experience.

Thankfully for the Phillies their schedule is chock full of breaks in April with three days off in the first week of the season and light travel with the opener in Philadelphia and their first road series in Washington.

Philadelphia’s depth will be tested this year, but thankfully they are fairly set with arms and outfield bats entering year two of the Gabe Kapler era.