Phillies' Michael Saunders suffers bruised hand
TAMPA, Fla. - The Phillies believe they have survived their second injury scare in 10 days as they said Michael Saunders is fine after he was removed from Friday afternoon's game after being hit by a pitch in the hand.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Phillies believe they have survived their second injury scare in 10 days as they said Michael Saunders is fine after he was removed from Friday afternoon's game after being hit by a pitch in the hand.
Saunders removal, the Phillies said, was just a precaution and his hand is bruised. It was similar to Tommy Joseph's exit earlier this spring after being hit by a pitch in the hand. Joseph's hand was also just bruised.
"It was a glancing blow," manager Pete Mackanin said after a 3-2 loss to the Yankees. "He's going to be fine."
Saunders was hit in the hand by a fastball from CC Sabathia in the fifth inning. He reached first base and was then pulled for a pinch-runner. Saunders did not appear overly concerned as he returned to the dugout, met with the team's trainers, and went to the clubhouse.
The Phillies signed Saunders in January, giving him a one-year contract to play right field. He entered Friday with nine hits in his first 45 spring at-bats. Saunders, 30, spent most of the 2015 season on the disabled list with a knee injury and was on the disabled list in 2013 with a shoulder injury.
Decisions coming
Mackanin said the Phillies will have an organizational meeting on Sunday to discuss their final roster decisions. The team breaks camp on Friday and opens the season on April 3.
The Phillies still need to fill two bullpen spots and solidify the final two bench spots.
The candidates for the final two bullpen spots are righthander Luis Garcia, lefthanders Adam Morgan, Sean Burnett, and Joely Rodriguez, and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte. Morgan, Garcia, and Rodriguez are already on the 40-man roster. Among the bench candidates are infielder Jesmuel Valentin, first baseman Brock Stassi, and outfielders Chris Coghlan and Daniel Nava. Catcher Andrew Knapp, infielder Andres Blanco, and outfielder Aaron Altherr are believed to have already secured roles. Valentin is the only candidate on the 40-man roster.
"By Monday, we should have some news," Mackanin said.
Thompson sent down
Jake Thompson was among the five players sent to minor-league camp on Friday morning. The righthander will anchor a triple-A rotation of righthanders that were all acquired in trades. Thompson will be joined on the IronPigs by Ben Lively, Zach Eflin, Mark Appel, and Nick Pivetta.
Thompson began spring training with a wrist injury but returned last week to pitch two scoreless outings. He reached the Phillies last August and made 10 starts, seeming to get more comfortable in the majors after a few rough starts.
"I'm excited," Thompson said. "It took a few starts last year to get the ball rolling. It's not going to be new to me. I know what to expect. It's a different world up there and I'm ready for it."
The Phillies also sent outfielder Tyler Goeddel, infielder Hector Gomez, catcher Logan Moore, and righthander Dalier Hinojosa to minor-league camp.
Extra bases
Lefthander Hoby Milner was returned to the Phillies by Cleveland, who selected him in December's Rule 5 draft. He will report to major-league camp as a nonroster invitee.