Phillies expected to be without multiple players next week in Toronto
The Phillies travel to Toronto immediately following this weekend’s series with the St. Louis Cardinals, but don’t expect everyone to make the trip.
According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Rob Thomson is set to address the elephant in the room this weekend in St. Louis. The Phillies will be without multiple players due to their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Any player that is unvaccinated will be placed on the restricted list prior to Tuesday’s Game 1 vs Toronto, forfeiting two days of payment as well. The team will be allowed to utilize their minor league players as fill-ins, and the players will not have to clear waivers to return back down to AAA.
We don’t know exactly who won’t be making the trip, and we don’t exactly know what’s going to happen on the mound. The Phillies are still without Zach Eflin and Ranger Suarez, who are both on the Injured List. Bailey Falter is expected to get the start tonight in the series finale vs the Cardinals.
Jim Salisbury mentions the possibility of moving Wheeler up a day in the rotation, facing him off against Wainwright in the series opener vs St. Louis, which would give him 5-days rest and have him ready for Toronto. Salisbury said the “word is good” for Wheeler to travel to Toronto.
The Phillies could reach down into the minor leagues for arms, from AAA or even AA. Salisbury mentions the possibility of raising Griff McGarry to the majors for one start, which would be his major league debut. McGarry has impressed in the minors, striking out 10+ basically every time he takes the mound.
As for the Phillies, they have a series to win today at 4:05. The offense struck out 16 times last night, wasting another 2-homer night from Kyle Schwarber. Bailey Falter gets the ball, going up against Joan Adon.
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