Herrera struggling with grounders in center

ATLANTA - The Phillies do not expect Odubel Herrera to be a polished product in center field, a position he did not learn until two winters ago. But they had enough faith to keep him in center this season, even with the addition of an acclaimed defender in Peter Bourjos.

It is why they are confused by one repeated flaw in Herrera's game over the season's first six weeks: He has had trouble charging grounders to the outfield.

"It surprises me," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said, "because he used to be a second baseman."

Herrera was not charged with an error Tuesday night when he tentatively charged a hopper to center and fumbled it. He had four errors in his first 293 innings this season after just five in 1,065 innings last season. The mistakes have come when Herrera tries to charge routine balls on the ground.

It is nitpicking; Herrera's defense has, overall, been satisfactory. But scouting reports will start to note Herrera's deficiency in charging balls, and more opposing runners could test him by going from first to third.

"I don't know where that came from," Mackanin said. "I don't know if he's rushing, trying to improve his throws and rushing. It's kind of unusual to see him to do that because I didn't see that last year."

So Juan Samuel, the third-base coach and outfield coordinator, has worked for the last week with Herrera on improving his footwork. The Phillies coaching staff has praised Herrera's work ethic and aptitude for handling an unfamiliar position at the highest level.

It is improvement on the little things that will elevate Herrera's game even higher.

The Phillies released righthander Mitch Gueller, a former first-round pick (54th overall) in 2012. Gueller, 22, had an 8.10 ERA at low-A Lakewood. He signed for a $940,200 bonus.

Andrew Pullin, a 22-year-old outfielder who retired last month, was reinstated Wednesday. Pullin hit 14 homers last season for high-A Clearwater. He will rejoin the Threshers.

Dalier Hinojosa (bruised wrist) will be reevaluated because the reliever has not improved after being struck on his pitching hand by a line drive on April 28. Mackanin said Hinojosa has "swelling around the hamate bone." . . . Cody Asche (strained rib cage muscle) is scheduled to play all nine innings of an extended spring training game Thursday. Asche will need the equivalent of a spring training before he is ready to return. . . . The Richie Ashburn-Harry Kalas Foundation will hold its annual dinner May 19 at Morton's steak house in Center City. Current and former Phillies will be in attendance. The foundation supports area youth baseball programs. Tickets are available at www.ashburnkalasfoundation.org.