Breaking: Phillies’ Head Coach gives injury update on Phillies favorite players.
The Philadelphia Phillies are about to begin a critical run of games in the coming weeks. With a close race at the top of the National League rankings, they’ll be facing a number of potential postseason opponents, so any positive news on the injury front would be greatly appreciated.
Fortunately, the Phillies will soon receive some good news. The Phillies announced on Tuesday that injured outfielder Austin Hays would be traveling to Lehigh Valley to formally start a Triple-A rehab assignment with the IronPigs, with the team in Atlanta facing the Braves.
Due to a strained left hamstring, Hays was placed on a 10-day IL on August 9 (retroactive to August 8). When he was initially eligible on August 18, he wasn’t prepared to be activated, even though he provided a favorable on-air update last week. On August 17, he participated in Ranger Suárez’s mock game, hitting a home run and apparently looking fantastic.
Tuesday marked Hays’ first rehab game. He played five innings in left field and finished the game one hit, one walk, and one strikeout. After playing a couple games in Triple-A, he could be able to make the trip to Kansas City with the Phillies for the weekend series.
More good news about injuries: according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies announced on Tuesday that Ranger Suárez will play against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday after being placed on the injured list, barring any setbacks. Suárez has been on the 15-day IL since July 24 due to lower back pain. The left-hander struggled to a 6.61 ERA in three July starts due to issues he had before the All-Star break. Suárez has been used sparingly by the Phillies, but they are happy to have him back in the lineup.
It hasn’t exactly been Taijuan Walker’s or the team’s expectation that he would return to the Phillies rotation. Walker was partially responsible for the Phillies’ two losses following his two starts following his activation for the recent homestand.
Nevertheless, he failed to provide the Phillies the innings they will require in the closing days after returning from an almost two-month stint on the injured list due to a blister on his finger. On Sunday, the seasoned right-hander pitched four innings against the Miami Marlins and then two and a third innings against the Nationals. He struck out eight and gave up a total of six runs on eight hits and six walks.
