MILWAUKEE — Aaron Altherr was feeling better Saturday but was unavailable when the Phillies faced the Brewers in the second of a three-game series at Miller Park.
Altherr suffered a mild strain of the right hamstring while running out a fifth-inning double — his second of the game — and had to leave the contest.
It's a big blow for the Phillies' offense. Altherr was batting .288 with 20 doubles, three triples and 14 home runs this season and his .898 OPS is 13th among qualified outfielders this season.
"He's an all-around good player," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Saturday. "I've been on guard for that slump that he might go through where he goes 2 for 40 and starts changing his approach, but the reason for his success is he's changed his swing path so drastically. He's so short to the ball now, there's no reason why he shouldn't continue to hit."
With Altherr out, manager Pete Mackanin moved Nick Williams into Altherr's spot in right and put Daniel Nava in the leadoff spot.
While Altherr is expected to miss at least a few games, the Phillies did get some good news on the injury front Saturday.
Infielder Cesar Hernandez (strained left oblique) will finish out a minor league rehab assignment this weekend with Class A Clearwater and is expected to join the team Monday in Miami while right-hander Vince Velasquez is likely to return from the disabled list and start Tuesday against the Marlins.
MLB
Velasquez has been out since May 31 with a strained flexor in his right elbow.