NEW YORK – The news is good on Kyle Schwarber.
Not so good that he was in the starting lineup when the Phillies opened a big three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday night, but good enough to believe he could be back on the field quite soon.
“It’s a little better today,” manager Rob Thomson said of the mild right calf strain that knocked Schwarber out of Thursday’s game against Miami in the fifth inning. “He came in early for treatment. He walked in fine. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
MORE: Thomson responds to Hernandez' comments about fundamentals
Thomson said the team did not believe Schwarber would require a trip to the injured list. In fact, Schwarber was able to take batting practice in the indoor cage at Citi Field before Friday night’s game.
“We’ll treat him out during the game and figure out if he’s available to pinch hit,” Thomson said.
Schwarber was only available to reporters briefly before Friday’s game. He was upbeat and indicated the injury had responded well to treatment.
MLB
The Phillies would love to get Schwarber back before the Mets series ends. He fills their leadoff spot and leads the National League with 34 homers.
Max Scherzer started for the Mets against Ranger Suarez on Friday night. Schwarber is 4 for 11 with a pair of homers and four walks lifetime against Scherzer. The Phils will face Jacob deGrom on Saturday night. Schwarber’s numbers are not good against deGrom – 1 for 12 with six strikeouts – so that could factor in Thomson’s lineup planning for Saturday, though not as much as Schwarber’s health.
Matt Vierling got the start in left field in place of Schwarber on Friday night and rookie Bryson Stott moved up into the leadoff spot.
“I think he can handle it,” Thomson said of Stott’s leadoff assignment. “He’s had great at-bats for a long time now. Instead of disrupting everybody else, I just thought it would be better to slide him up there and give him a shot.”
Thomson believes Stott has the makings of a future leadoff man.
“No doubt,” he said. “He sees pitches, grinds at-bats out, really knows the strike zone, and he can hit.”