SAN FRANCISCO — The Phillies got yet another dose of bad injury news on Saturday.
Nick Castellanos, who put together an encouraging month of August and missed three games this week before returning to the field on Friday, is back out of the starting lineup on Saturday. Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said pregame that Castellanos felt something in his oblique last night on a swing, and he’s headed to the hospital to get an MRI.
Though he acknowledged there’s always concern when the oblique is involved, Thomson didn’t sound too worried when speaking to reporters a couple hours before Saturday’s first pitch.
“It’s more precaution than anything,” Thomson said, adding that Castellanos felt “a lot better” Saturday morning.
Matt Vierling is playing right field and batting ninth against Giants righty Jakob Junis in place of Castellanos on Saturday. Thomson said he expects Vierling to man right field on an everyday basis until Castellanos is back, adding that he’s had good at bats against righties (his kryptonite, of sorts, this season) recently.
But the options beyond him are few. Dalton Guthrie could be one. Thomson said that reports have been “really good” on Guthrie, who’s hitting .313 with a .907 OPS at Triple-A Lehigh Valley since the start of July. The bulk of Guthrie’s playing time this season has come in center, but he’s played right a few times as well. Darick Hall is not a corner outfield option, Thomson said.
“Not just because of depth,” Thomson said on the importance of getting Castellanos back. “He’s one of our top hitters, so that’s why I want him to be OK.”
Eflin to throw live batting practice next week
Zach Eflin will aim to throw live batting practice on Tuesday, Thomson said, followed by pitchers fielding practice. Thomson estimated Eflin would need one or two rehab starts before rejoining the team.
Regarding his role upon a potential return, Thomson said it’s a conversation for later. The Phillies could use Eflin for an inning or two out of the bullpen. All options are seemingly on the table as of now.
“We gotta get through this,” Thomson said, “and then we gotta start talking. Start talking about roles, how we’re gonna use you, what you’re comfortable with.”
McGarry impresses out of Reading’s bullpen
The Phillies’ No. 3 prospect, right-hander Griff McGarry, had a bit of a different role with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils on Friday. McGarry — a starter, and whom the organization views long-term as a starter — threw out of the bullpen as the Phillies weigh different ways to piece together a bullpen that’s suddenly become shallow.
McGarry’s relief outing went quite well. As in — two innings, no hits, four strikeouts well.
“It’s just more for coverage and depth right now,” Thomson said of McGarry’s bullpen trial. “But they said it was really good.”
Other notes
- Seranthony Domínguez threw 25 pitches in the bullpen before the game, issue-free. Thomson said he hopes Domínguez will need just one rehab outing before returning to the big league club.
- Thomson had no further update on Zack Wheeler, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 25 and whose timeline was pushed back on Friday.
- Newly acquired reliever Vinny Nittoli didn’t get into yesterday’s blowout just because he hadn’t thrown off a mound in several days, Thomson said. He’s available today.
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