Banged-up Harper says he'll be ready to play Friday, but what about Hoskins?

Share

The Phillies, who rallied for a stirring 11-8 victory to split a doubleheader, and a series, with the Washington Nationals on Thursday, begin their latest most important series of the season Friday night in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.

Will Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins be in the lineup?

Both left the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader with minor injuries.

Harper left with back tightness in the third inning.

Hoskins exited with groin soreness in the sixth.

“They’re day to day,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I don’t know what that means for (Friday). But right now, they’re listed as day to day.”

In other words, more will be known before Friday night’s game.

For what it’s worth, Harper, who has had back issues dating to last season, said he will play.

“My back just got a little tight in between games,” he said. “It just didn’t really loosen up much. I think (bench coach Rob Thomson) saw me kind of hobbling a little bit, so he came over to me and said, ‘Hey, we’re just going to get you out of this one and get you ready for tomorrow.’ 

“Yeah, I’ll be in there. I thought to myself, ‘Miss half a game to not miss two.’ I’ll be in there tomorrow.”

Hoskins appeared to stretch his groin trying to make a play in the field. Girardi said he later felt a twinge as he came out of the batter’s box.

The Phillies set their rotation for the three-game series, which will begin after the Friday trade deadline. Vince Velasquez will pitch Friday night, Aaron Nola will go on an extra day of rest Saturday and Spencer Howard will start Sunday.

The Pirates will go with right-handers Wil Crowe and JT Brubaker in the first two games of the series. They have not named a starter for Sunday.

Subscribe to Phillies Talk: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube

Contact Us