JT Realmuto injury update and more from the Phillies heading into the weekend.
There are three weeks before Opening Day. Yesterday, Joe Girardi gave a quick preview of what the Phillies starting lineup could be on April 1st against the Atlanta Braves. Aaron Nola was on the mound and pitched four innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three. Andrew McCutchen had two hits and an RBI but the lineup as a whole only mustered four total hits and struck out 10 times. The Phillies lost the game 6-1.
- LF Andrew McCutchen
- 1B Rhys Hoskins
- DH Bryce Harper
- 3B Alec Bohm
- SS Didi Gregorius
- 2B Jean Segura
- CF Odubel Herrera
- C Andrew Knapp
- RF Scott Kingery
Clearly, if it was Opening Day, Bryce Harper would have started in right field and Kingery would slide to the bench. Andrew Knapp would also slide to the bench for JT Realmuto. Girardi did give us some good news yesterday, as Realmuto has been cleared to ramp up baseball activities. Realmuto made 40 throws up to 90 feet and was able to hit balls off a tee.
Realmuto has been out since the start of Spring Training with a fractured thumb and has been on record stating that he believes he will be ready for Opening Day. He spent two weeks in a cast and the last week in a splint. JT is still rocking the splint when not doing baseball activities for extra protection.
The Phillies have 17 games left in Florida so even if Realmuto needs another week to heal his thumb, he will still be given plenty of opportunities to get some games and at-bats in before heading north to face the Braves on April 1st.
Zack Wheeler will be on the mound today as the Phillies face the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, Florida. The game will not be televised.
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
