Kendrick won't miss a start after concussion

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PITTSBURGH -- Seven-game winner Kyle Kendrick, who suffered a concussion when he was hit by a pitch from Stephen Fife of the Dodgers on Sunday, has passed all his concussion tests and won’t miss a turn, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said Tuesday.
 
“He should be good to go,” Amaro said.
 
Kendrick is scheduled to start Saturday against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
 
“Kyle had another test [Monday], and it came out very good, and he had an exertion test [Tuesday] morning and did very well,” Amaro said in the visiting dugout at PNC Park, where the Phillies were scheduled to begin a three-game series Tuesday evening.
 
“He’s going to throw a bullpen [Wednesday], and he should be good to go for his start. Good news.”
 
Kendrick is having a career year at 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA. Coming into this season, he had a 4.30 career ERA.
 
The 28-year-old right-hander has gone six or more innings in 14 of 17 starts and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 11 starts.

Kendrick needs four more wins to match his career high. Among Phillies with 100 or more career starts, his .565 career winning percentage is sixth best in franchise history.
 
Amaro said Kendrick hasn’t suffered any concussion-related symptons since Sunday night in Los Angeles.

“He’s fine,” he said. “He feels fine. I think it was a very mild one when they did the original testing after the game two days ago. He’s doing really well.”
 
Major League Baseball introduced a seven-day concussion disabled list last year, but Kendrick won’t need to go on it.
 
“Obviously, [that will change] if something happens in the next 24 or 48 hours,” Amaro said. “But right now he should be fine for his start.”
 
Amaro also said catcher Eric Kratz, who underwent knee surgery on June 12, will be back sooner than originally expected.
 
“He’ll be closer to four weeks than six weeks,” Amaro said. “He’s coming along really well”
 
Amaro said Kratz, who hit .229 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 43 games, is in Clearwater catching bullpens and has started a running program.
 
When the Phillies return home at the end of this week, Kratz will return to Philadelphia and meet with noted knee specialist Dr. Michael Ciccotti to see if he’s ready to play in some rehab games.
 
Amaro also said reliever Michael Stutes, who went on the disabled list on June 25 with right biceps tendinitis, hasn’t started throwing yet. Stutes had a 5.17 ERA in 14 games out of the bullpen before going on the DL.
 
“He’s still got some soreness in his shoulder,” Amaro said. “He’s not comfortable. We’ll have to wait until he’s comfortable and able to throw.”

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