Aaron Altherr returns to the Phillies, but who will play? (Frank Klose/Sports Talk Philly)
The Phillies once again are dealing with an injury to one of their outfielders. Daniel Nava, a candidate to be traded by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, left Friday's game with a bothered hamstring. The Phillies have decided it was serious enough that they have placed Nava on the 10-day disabled list. The move can be backdated to Saturday.
Taking the place of Nava on the roster is someone who was on the disabled list with a hamstring strain himself, Aaron Altherr. Altherr originally was tabbed to return to the Phillies on Friday, but he was healing ahead of schedule so the Phillies must have felt comfortable enough to activate him. Altherr immediately went right into the Phillies lineup, batting fifth and playing center field.
The Phillies took Odubel Herrera out of last night's game for punitive reasons and he will not start tonight. It seems that it is for mostly the same reason that Herrera is going to watch tonight's action from the bench; the Phillies are facing right-handed Mike Fiers and not a tough left-handed pitcher. With Howie Kendrick and Nick Williams also firmly implanted in the Phillies infield, it will be interesting to see how the Phillies will manage the outfield going forward.
Kendrick could see some time at second base or first base, if the club wants to give Cesar Hernandez or Tommy Joseph a rest. However they play it, it is nice that the Phillies will have most of their key pieces healthy.
