Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Phillies Injury Updates: Arrieta, Quinn, Robertson

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Prior to Saturday's game, the Philadelphia Phillies provided injury updates on three of its players: one starting pitcher, one outfielder and one relief pitcher.

• Jake Arrieta has been shut down for the remainder of the 2019 season, and will undergo surgery later this month to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. The Phillies expect Arrieta to be ready by spring training 2020.
• Roman Quinn, who exited Friday's series opener early, has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain. As a corresponding move, recently acquired relief pitcher RHP Jared Hughes has been added to the 25-man roster.
• David Robertson had Tommy John surgery on Thursday, and is expected to miss the next 14-16 months, meaning the entire 2020 season. The Phillies signed the long-time New York Yankees reliever to a two-year, $23 million deal this past offseason; they will get just 6 2/3 innings from Robertson over that contract.

The Phillies have signed the following pitchers since 2017:
Jake Arrieta, 3/$75M, 2.9 fWAR (two years)
Tommy Hunter, 2/$18M, 0.8 fWAR (two years)
Pat Neshek, 2/$16.25M, 0 fWAR (two years)
David Robertson, 2/$23M, -0.1 fWAR (one year)
That's 3.6 fWAR for $83.6M. Not ideal!

— Jonny Heller (@jonnyheller) August 17, 2019

Arrieta and Robertson join a long list of Phillies players not expected to return to action in 2019, joining Tommy Hunter, Adam Morgan, Victor Arano, Odubel Herrera and Andrew McCutchen, among possibly a few others.

Eflin Rejoins Rotation as Phillies Seek Season-High 5th Straight Win

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (64-58) will play for their season-high fifth straight win in the second of a three-game series Saturday evening against the San Diego Padres (56-65) at Citizens Bank Park.

RELATED | Phillies Power Past Padres, Tied for Second NL Wild Card Spot

Right-hander Zach Eflin will make his first start for the Phillies since July 27, replacing injured RHP Jake Arrieta (bone spur, right elbow). Eflin will oppose RHP Dinelson Lamet, who will make his 29th career start and first at Citizens Bank Park.

In Friday's 8-4 opener victory, the top three spots in the Phillies starting lineup — Roman Quinn, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto — combined for six hits, three home runs (one each), six RBI and five runs scored. Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (W, 5-7) threw a solid 5 1/3 innings; while two outs shy of a quality start, the right-hander allowed only three runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts en route to a winning decision. Recently signed 1B Logan Morrison went 2-for-4 with a single and double in his first start with the Phillies; he filled in for Rhys Hoskins (sore hand), who is back in the lineup on Saturday.

RELATED | Phillies Injury Updates: Arrieta, Quinn, Robertson

Quinn exited the game early due to right groin tightness, and on Saturday was placed on the 10-day injured list; recently acquired RHP Jared Hughes has been added to the 25-man roster as a corresponding move.

With 40 games to go, the Phillies are tied with the Chicago Cubs for the second National League Wild Card spot. The Cubs will start southpaw Jon Lester in their Saturday road matinee against the Pittsburgh Pirates and fellow LHP Steven Brault.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

San Diego Padres (56-65)			Philadelphia Phillies (64-58)
RHP	Dinelson Lamet		RHP	Zach Eflin
	(1-2, 3.86 ERA)			(7-11, 4.49 ERA)

Phillies Power Past Padres, Tied for Second NL Wild Card Spot

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (64-58) have reclaimed a postseason spot.

In addition to defeating the San Diego Padres (56-65), 8-4, in Friday evening's three-game series opener at Citizens Bank Park, the Chicago Cubs lost their fourth straight game — helping the Phillies advance into a tie with them for the second National League Wild Card spot, with 40 games to go.

The top three spots in the Phillies starting lineup order — Roman Quinn, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto — combined for six hits, three home runs (one each), six RBI and five runs scored in the win. Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (W, 5-7) threw a solid 5 1/3 innings while making his 40th career start at Citizens Bank Park; while two outs shy of a quality start, the right-hander allowed only three runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts en route to a winning decision.

The Phillies are now 4-0 with Charlie Manuel as hitting coach.

Phillies Vie for 4th Straight Win Without Hoskins

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor Having won three straight games, the Philadelphia Phillies (63-58) will look to continue their momentum into Friday evening's three-game series opener against the San Diego Padres (56-64) and rookie RHP Chris Paddack (7-5, 3.26 ERA) at Citizens Bank Park. Paddack will be opposed by Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (4-7, 4.30 ERA), who owns a perfect 0.00 career ERA and a solid 0.346 career WHIP against the Padres over 17 1/3 innings. Absent from Friday's lineup will be Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who took a pitch off his hand in the ninth inning of Thursday night's game. Hoskins stayed in the game, and later scored on Bryce Harper's thrilling walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs. Hoskins, optimistic, had his X-ray results return negative and will be available off the bench. Ten-year veteran Logan Morrison will make his first start at red pinstripes, in Hoskins' place.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

San Diego Padres (56-64)			Philadelphia Phillies (63-58)
RHP	Chris Paddack		RHP	Vince Velasquez
	(7-5, 3.26 ERA)			(4-7, 4.30 ERA)

Hitting Season: Phillies Stun Cubs Behind Harper's Walkoff Grand Slam

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

For the first time this season, the Philadelphia Phillies have swept an opponent with a winning percentage greater than .500.

Down 5-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, and 5-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, a comeback against the Chicago Cubs in Thursday's series finale seemed surely improbable.

But it wasn't.

RBI singles by Corey Dickerson, Brad Miller and Roman Quinn over the two frames all preceded perhaps Bryce Harper's best play thus far of his career: a walkoff grand slam. Down in the count 0-2, fouling two sinkers off, Harper evened the count to 2-2 before launching the game-winning and series-sweep-clinching blast.

BRYCE-GRAND-FREAKIN'-SLAMMIN-HARPER. pic.twitter.com/qFFcqtoYV3

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 16, 2019

"That was sick, WOW. ... I don't even know what to say right now," Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia's Gregg Murphy after the game. "That was one of the coolest moments that ever happened in my life."

Thanks to their sweep of the Cubs, the Phillies are now tied with the Milwaukee Brewers and sit just one game out of the second National League Wild Card spot.

Phillies, Smyly Search for Sweep of Cubs as Dickerson Returns to Lineup

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (62-58) will look for their third straight win and a series sweep of the Chicago Cubs (64-56) Thursday evening, as veteran southpaw Drew Smyly makes his third home start in red pinstripes. Smyly will oppose four-time All-Star RHP Yu Darvish. Phillies LF Corey Dickerson (hand) will return to the Phillies' starting lineup in the series finale, batting cleanup; he sat Wednesday after taking a pitch off his left knuckles on Tuesday, avoiding serious injury.

The Phillies offense came alive in their 11-1 win opposite their former 2008 World Series MVP LHP Cole Hamels on Wednesday. Bryce Harper (3-3, 2 HR) and J.T. Realmuto (2-4, 2B, grand slam) led the way, respectively improving their season slash lines to .253/.374/.485 and  .277/.330/.471. While Hamels earned the loss, allowing eight runs through two-plus innings, Phillies current ace RHP Aaron Nola earned his 11th win of the season, yielding just one run through seven innings. 1B Logan Morrison (0-1) made his Phillies debut as a pinch-hitter.

Prior to Thursday''s finale, the Phillies transferred RHP Edubray Ramos (right shoulder) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, and claimed RHP Jared Hughes off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Hughes, 34, posted a 1.94 ERA and 1.017 WHIP spanning 72 appearances last season; in 2019, he has logged a 4.10 ERA and 1.241 WHIP over 47 appearances. Ramos will not be eligible to return until mid-September, although he could be out the rest of the season.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Chicago Cubs (64-56)			Philadelphia Phillies (62-58)
RHP	Yu Darvish		LHP	Drew Smyly
	(4-6, 4.43 ERA)			(2-6, 6.96 ERA)

Phillies Are Reportedly Calling Up Logan Morrison

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The odds seemed stacked against free agent outfielder Logan Morrison.  After signing a minor league contract with the Phillies, the Phillies saw the emergence of Adam Haseley, Jay Bruce come off the injured list, and then the Phillies traded for Corey Dickerson.   Nick Williams was a left-handed option, too.

With all that, Morrison appears to be getting his shot.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Morrison is being called up to the Phillies:

Logan Morrison is being called up by the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. The veteran left-handed hitter has been a force this season at AAA, hitting .308/.369/.640 between stops with Yankees and Phillies. He’ll join a struggling Phillies offense looking for a spark.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 14, 2019

What motivated the need is not totally clear. In last night's victory over the Chicago Cubs, the newly-acquired Dickerson took a ball off his hand.  Dickerson exited the game in favor of Sean Rodriguez. After the game the Phillies reported that the results were negative and that Dickerson had a bruise. 

Dickerson could sit out for 10 days to heal. Center fielder Adam Haseley has a minor league option , but that would leave Roman Quinn as the lone center fielder on the roster.

Morrison has a chance to stick if he can provide some offense.  Capable of playing both the outfield and first base, Morrison could take some at bats at first base in place of the struggling Rhys Hoskins while the team tries to get Hoskins going again.  Should Dickerson be hurt, presumably Morrison will get some at bats in left field.

Morrison used to have regular Twitter conversations with Phillies fans, even wearing a Phillies t-shirt once back in 2011. In 18 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Morrison has hit .356 with three home runs and 12 runs batted in.

 

Charlie Manuel Returns to Phillies Coaching Staff as Hitting Coach

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

For the first time since being let go as manager in August 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies' all-time winningest manager Charlie Manuel has returned to the coaching staff.

Manuel has replaced John Mallee as hitting coach, as first reported by MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

The Phillies released the following press release:

"The Phillies have relieved hitting coach John Mallee of his duties, the club announced today. Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been named the team's hitting coach. Manuel, who currently works as senior advisor to the general manager, will assume the position for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Previously, Manuel, 75, served as hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 1988-89 and 1994-99. From 1994-99, his second tour as hitting coach, Cleveland led the American League in runs three times (1994-95, 1999), led the league in home runs twice (1994-95) and set a franchise record by hitting 220 homers in 1997."

Malle's dismissal may not be the only move from Phillies ownership; according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, more changes to the staff are "still being discussed."

Currently, the Phillies rank 19th in runs scored, 24th in batting average, and 22nd in OPS.

Mallee was named Phillies hitting coach on Nov. 10, 2017, after previously serving in a similar role for the Chicago Cubs from 2015-17. Under Mallee in 2016, the World Series Champion Cubs ranked second in the majors in OBP (.343) and third in runs scored (808). Also with the Cubs, Mallee coached the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP (Kris Bryant), and guided both Anthony Rizzo and current-Phillie Jake Arrieta to NL Silver Slugger Awards in 2016.

Malle was also hitting coach for the Florida/Miami Marlins in 2010-11, and the Houston Astros in 2013-14. From 2002-10, he worked as minor league hitting coordinator for the Marlins, before being promoted to interim major league hitting coach in June 2010. The Phillies selected Mallee in the 12th round of the 1991 draft; he went on to play two seasons in the minor league system for Martinsville (1991) and Spartanburg (1992).

Currently, the Phillies sit nine games out of the division (fourth place), and two games out in the National League Wild Card. 

Phillies Look for Continued Success Against Samardzija, Giants

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to build off of their 9-6 win, the Philadelphia Phillies (60-56) will send RHP Vince Velasquez to the mound Saturday afternoon in the third of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants (57-60) at Oracle Park. Velasquez will oppose 12-year veteran RHP Jeff Samardzija.

RELATED | Harper's 2 Homers, 4 RBI Lead Phillies Past Giants for 60th Win

Corner outfielders Corey Dickerson and Bryce Harper combined to produce seven of the Phillies' nine RBI in Friday's win. Dickerson's three-run triple gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the second, while the second of Harper's two home runs — a three-run blast in the seventh — put the Phillies on top for good, 8-6. Harper produced his first multi-home run game with the Phillies, and the 18th of his career. RHP Hector Neris notched his 20th save in the win.

With 46 games remaining, the Phillies are in a three-way tie to being a 1/2-game out of the second National League Wild Card spot. One of the teams the Phillies are tied with are the surging New York Mets, who have won 14 of their last 15 games.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (60-56)			San Francisco Giants (57-60)
RHP	Vince Velasquez		RHP	Jeff Samardzija
	(4-6, 4.23 ERA)			(8-9, 3.70 ERA)

Harper's 2 Homers, 4 RBI Lead Phillies Past Giants for 60th Win

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Amid a close National League Wild Card race — with the Philadelphia Phillies (60-56) being among six teams vying for two postseason spots — timing could have not been more perfect for the club to end its three-game losing skid in Friday evening's matchup opposite the San Francisco Giants (57-60) at Oracle Park.

Southpaw Drew Smyly made his fourth start with the Phillies, but he was far from the main story in the Phillies' strong 9-6 win, as Bryce Harper produced his first multi-home run game of 2019 — with his two home runs adding up to 876 feet and four RBI.

The @bryceharper3 Show. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/sak3eqpBxh

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 10, 2019

Overall, the Phillies offense produced two four-run innings; Harper's three-run blast (his second of the game) helped with the latter, while recently acquired outfielder Corey Dickerson's bases-clearing triple early on helped with the first. With a three-run lead, RHP Hector Neris notched his 20th save in the ninth.

The win helped the Phillies remain in the thick of the postseason race — remaining tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and their division rival New York Mets as being just a half-game back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the second Wild Card spot. Just 46 games remain this season, with only 21 being at home.

The Phillies entered the game having lost four straight games at Oracle Park, scoring only one run combined.