Phillies are being cautious with Odubel Herrera

Odubel Herrera has been eligible to join the Phillies since Saturday but he will likely not return from the disabled list until later this week when rosters expand on Sept. 1.

The Phillies, manager Pete Mackanin said, are being cautious with Herrera, who has been sidelined since Aug. 15 with a strained left hamstring. It makes sense as the team will be able to add Herrera on Friday without clearing a roster space.

"I don't think there's a rush in getting him back just to make sure that he doesn't have a relapse," manager Pete Mackanin said. "We're talking three, four days I think."

The Phillies will also welcome back Aaron Altherr sometime in September, which could complicate playing time in the outfield. There will be five players – Altherr, Herrera, Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, and Daniel Nava – for three spots. It helps that Hoskins can also play first base.

"It's a concern, but at the same time we have 36 games left," Mackanin said. "I've seen Altherr enough to know that he's made a good impression. And we know Herrera is going to be our center fielder. It's not of the utmost importance to see them play, but I'd like them to finish the season and get some playing time. If Herrera is 100 percent we need a center fielder."

Hurricane hits Williams' home

Nick Williams' childhood home in Texas was destroyed in 2008 by Hurricane Ike. And now the house his family moved to is being threatened by flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

"The flooding hasn't gotten in the house yet, but I know it's up to the driveway," Williams said.

Hurricane Harvey hit Williams' hometown of Galveston this week. The town sits on the Gulf of Mexico in southeastern Texas. His parents fled before the storm hit and are waiting it out at an uncle's home.

"It's scary, it's sad," Williams said. "There's nothing you can do about it. You just have to wait it out…But everyone I've talked to is safe. A lot of them are just trying to help, honestly, to help the families that are stranded."

Extra bases

Andrew Knapp has started to throw without the cast on his right hand but still lacks full strength when gripping the baseball. His return is likely a few weeks away. "I don't want this to be taken the wrong way, but we get to see Alfaro and not have to worry about three guys," Mackanin said…The Phillies will face R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball on Tuesday. Mark Leiter Jr. pitches for the Phillies.