Phillies unsure how much time Aaron Altherr will miss

MILWAUKEE — Pete Mackanin assembled a lineup Saturday night without Aaron Altherr, a task that is somewhat difficult. It was just the latest sign of Altherr's ascension from extra man this spring to indispensible bat this summer.

The Phillies do not know how long he will be absent because of a hamstring injury. For now, he has avoided the disabled list. The team has termed him "day-to-day," and they should know more Sunday about the extent of the strain.

"He said he felt better," Mackanin said.

Altherr doubled twice in five innings Friday but tweaked his right hamstring on the second double. He is hitting .288 with an .898 OPS. No Phillies player with enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title has posted a .900 OPS or higher since Jayson Werth in 2010.

That's why the Phillies will dearly miss Altherr, even if it's for the minimum 10 days on the disabled list.

Daniel Nava slid into the leadoff spot and manned left field. Nick Williams shifted to right field. If the Phillies were to disable Altherr, they would likely replace him on the active roster with Cesar Hernandez. The second baseman did not play in a minor-league game Saturday, but he is scheduled to play Sunday for high-A Clearwater and will rejoin the Phillies on Monday in Miami.

Hernandez told team officials he will be ready to go Monday. Mackanin plans to reinsert Hernandez atop his lineup, just as he did before the abdominal injury sidelined him for five weeks.

Altherr had occupied that spot for two days. Then, he was hurt. But the Phillies believe in his increased production because it was the result of tangible changes made to his game.

"I think I've been on guard for that slump he might go through," Mackanin said. "He goes 2 for 40 and all of a sudden he starts changing his approach. But I think the reason for his success is he's changed his swing path so drastically that it's so short to the ball now. He has a tendency to get big at times. But his path to the ball is a lot shorter, which means there's no reason why he shouldn't continue to hit. "

Altherr just needs to be in the lineup to do it.

"He's been a real pleasant surprise this year," Mackanin said.

If the Phillies do need another outfielder to replace Altherr, it will not be Roman Quinn. The 24-year-old prospect is in Florida, rehabbing a ligament injury to his non-throwing elbow. But he is not yet ready for game action. Quinn last played May 28. … Two veteran righthanders and former teammates with the Tampa Bay Rays will pitch in Sunday's series finale. It's Jeremy Hellickson against Matt Garza.