As injured outfield turns, Odubel Herrera's bruised finger feels better

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Aaron Altherr popped into the Phillies clubhouse Tuesday morning with a large cast on his left wrist. Cody Asche left his teammates to test his injured rib cage with batting practice on a back field. This spring is marred by injuries to a decimated outfield, and that is what prompts so much interest in Odubel Herrera's bruised left middle finger.

The digit, Herrera insists, is fine. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin expressed some concern because his centerfielder has not played for eight days. It does not appear, for now, to be an injury that will sideline Herrera when the games matter.

He wants to play by the weekend.

"As long as there aren't any setbacks in the games here," Herrera said through an interpreter, "I'll be ready for opening day."

Herrera hurt the finger on March 6 when sliding headfirst into home plate. He was fitted for a guard to protect the finger and took some swings from a tee Tuesday morning. He liked the way it felt. Mackanin said Herrera could play "in the next day or two."

Tests showed no fractures. Some inflammation has lingered, but the Phillies do not believe there is ligament damage. When asked if he will play when the season starts, Herrera laughed.

"Of course," he said.

Meanwhile, Asche continues his attempt to be ready for the season. He took some light batting practice. Time is the element working against him; Asche has not yet played in a game this spring. He could go on the disabled list and accumulate some at-bats in the minors come April.

"It's to the point where it's not hurt anymore," Asche said. "It's more where you've got to just get over mental hurdles. It's like if you broke a foot and you wanted to go running. It's going to take baby steps. It's such a violent movement."

Altherr, who could miss the entire season after surgery to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, said he will be in the cast for another month. The surgeon also repaired damaged wrist ligaments.

"It's disappointing," Altherr said. "Stuff like this happens and you just deal with it and move on. I'm just trying to get back stronger and better than ever and get back playing before the season's over."

Mackanin gushed about James Russell, a lefthanded reliever in camp on a minor-league deal, who escaped trouble in the sixth inning of a 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Reserve infielder Angelys Nina made two errors to put runners on second and third with no outs.

Russell induced a pop out and struck out the next two batters.

"That's the sign of a major-league pitcher," Mackanin said. "When you can do something like that, boy, that's really special."

Andrew Bailey allowed three runs on four hits. Mackanin said he remains "the front-runner" for closer, but he wants to see better stuff.

"I know last year he had better velocity," Mackanin said. "There is still spring left. I'd like to see a little more velocity."

The Phillies optioned righthander Severino Gonzalez to triple-A Lehigh Valley. That leaves 48 players (40 healthy) still in camp with a week until the team heads north. . . . The team will play three straight night games starting Wednesday against Houston in Kissimmee, Fla.