Ranger Suárez (pain in the lower back)
Situation: 15-day list of injured
Due to low back pain, Suárez was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 27 with retroactive effect on July 24.
On August 17, Suárez threw out a mock game at Citizens Bank Park. In four innings, he fired 57 pitches; in the bullpen, he tossed another 20. In a hypothetical game, the Phillies are pleased with his velocity, which was approximately 91 mph. According to manager Rob Thomson, “there’s a good chance we could get him back in Kansas City” if Suárez emerges from the sim game in good spirits. August 23–25 is when the Phillies and Royals will play. (Tim Kelly last updated this on August 17)
Austin Hays (strained left hamstring)
Present: 10-day list of injured
With effect from August 8 forward, the Phillies placed Hays on the 10-day disabled list due to a left hamstring strain.
On August 17, Hays struck Suárez in the simulation game. He sprinted well, including some first-to-thirds, then hit a home run in the first inning. “There’s a chance he does a rehab assignment for a couple days,” stated Thomson. Upon being asked if Hays may also return during the Kansas City series, Thomson said, “potentially, yeah.” (Tim Kelly last updated on August 17)
Spencer Turnbull (strained right latis)
Present: 60-day list of injured
RHP Spencer Turnbull was placed on the 60-day disabled list on August 17 in order to create space for Tyler Gilbert on the 40-man roster. Thomson did, however, note that Turnbull’s transfer to the 60-day IL does not prevent him from pitching again this season, given he was placed on the IL on June 27.
Thomson stated that Turnbull is really scheduled to resume his throwing program at some time during the coming week and that he is “feeling a lot better” following a setback in his recuperation from a right lat strain. (Tim Kelly last updated on August 17)
Dylan Covey (strain to his right shoulder)
Present status: on the 60-day injured list; assigned to a rehab facility
Covey has appeared in three rehab games for Single-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading as of August 9. His last appearance was on August 4 against Hartford, where he pitched three innings and gave up one earned run for Reading. (Destiny Lugardo last updated on August 9)
Luis Ortiz (surgeon Tommy John)
Situation: 15-day list of injured
On July 11, Ortiz had a successful Tommy John procedure. (Updated on July 12 by Destiny Lugardo)
Andrew Painter (Surgeon Tommy John)
Minor League 60-day Injured List as of now
On July 25, 2023, the Phillies’ minor league system’s top prospect underwent Tommy John surgery.
Every Tuesday and Friday, Painter throws bullpens with a pitch count of 25. Right now, all he throws are changeups and fastballs. Before the year is up, Thomson did not rule out the 21-year-old throwing in controlled environments, such as simulated games. He doesn’t think he will, nevertheless, be making affiliate pitches in 2024. (Revised on June 29 by Tim Kelly)
Watch the episode of Phillies Nation TV airing this week.
Prior to Next game, the Phillies make a small roster change.
Before their game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday night, the Philadelphia Phillies made a little roster move, elevating reliever Tyler Gilbert and optioning RHP Tyler Phillips to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
RHP Spencer Turnbull was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create space for Gilbert on the 40-man roster. Rob Thomson, the manager, did note that Turnbull’s transfer to the 60-day IL does not prevent him from pitching this season, given that he was placed on the IL on June 27.
Thomson stated that Turnbull is really scheduled to resume his throwing program at some time during the coming week and that he is “feeling a lot better” following a setback in his recuperation from a right lat strain.
Between 2021 and 2023, Gilbert, 30, had 30 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks, 13 of which were starts. When Gilbert pitched a no-hitter in his debut MLB start on August 15, 2021, it was the most memorable moment of his career to date.
Thomson notes that Gilbert has been extended out to three innings, thus for the time being, he will be used as a long man in the Phillies bullpen. Gilbert has excelled at Triple-A Lehigh Valley since joining the Phillies in a May trade with the Cincinnati Reds, going 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 27 games.
On July 27, Phillips, a native of Lumberton, New Jersey, pitched a complete-game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, fulfilling the childhood fantasy of every Phillies fan. Since then, though, in just 11 innings pitched over three starts, Phillips has given up 17 earned runs.
Regarding who will start the Phillies’ series opener in Atlanta on Tuesday in Phillips’ place, Thomson stated the team hasn’t determined whether to start Zack Wheeler one day early (the rest of the four days would still apply) or start the game from the bullpen against the Braves.