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After 140 straight starts for Phillies, Freddy Galvis sits

The leader of the team was not in the lineup for the first time all season in order to make room for J.P. Crawford at shortstop.

Freddy Galvis will sit for the first time this season to make room for J.P. Crawford at shortstop.
Freddy Galvis will sit for the first time this season to make room for J.P. Crawford at shortstop.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

WASHINGTON — The Phillies had played 1,239 innings before Friday night, and Freddy Galvis was on the field for all but 16 of them. He had started all of the team's first 140 games. But, when manager Pete Mackanin submitted his lineup for the 141st game at Nationals Park, Galvis was not a part of it.

It was the player's decision.

"It's kind of weird," Galvis said, "not seeing your name in the lineup."

Galvis ceded to J.P. Crawford, the organization's top prospect who happens to play the same position as the 27-year-old Venezuelan who emerged this season as a clubhouse leader. The Phillies like both players. But it is reasonable to question whether they can coexist beyond 2017.

A brief stint in the outfield that lasted almost 11 innings made Galvis' right arm a little tired. That, Mackanin said, had nothing to do with his decision to insert Crawford at shortstop. The Phillies have promised him four or five games there this month.

Galvis was presented the option of fulfilling his goal of starting all 162 games by shifting to the outfield. He decided against it.

"He just thought it was in his best interest to not have to do that," Mackanin said. He added: "It was his choice. He's fine with it. At least he told me he was."

The manager told Galvis he would try to use him as a pinch-hitter so he at least had 162 games played to his name. Galvis popped out as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning Friday.

"I understand the situation," Galvis said. "So just be professional, and that's it."

The dilemma, in the end, could result in a trade involving Galvis this winter. The Phillies could look at Crawford and see a player not Galvis' equal with the glove but close enough that his strong on-base skills create a more valuable overall player. That is, in part, why Crawford came to the majors rather than stay at triple-A Lehigh Valley for the postseason. The Phillies wanted to see how he reacted to major-league pitchers.

"That doesn't mean he's going to be here next year," Mackanin said. "That doesn't mean Freddy's not going to be here next year, or anybody else. But we want to get a look at it."

Galvis will be a free agent after the 2018 season.

"I think he's an everyday major-league shortstop," Mackanin said of Galvis. "No doubts about it. I think he's a legitimate everyday shortstop."

"Oh yeah, for sure," Galvis said. "I feel that way."

Extra bases

Aaron Altherr (strained right hamstring) was cleared Friday to pinch-hit. He could be in the lineup by Tuesday, if not before, Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said. … Jesen Therrien, a rookie righthander who has a 8.35 ERA in 15 outings, sustained an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will not pitch again in 2017, Klentak said. Therrien, 24, could need Tommy John surgery; the Phillies will seek a second opinion to determine the severity of the tear. … Zach Eflin and Andrew Knapp evacuated Clearwater, Fla. — where they were rehabbing injuries — and returned to Philadelphia ahead of Hurricane Irma. Knapp (broken right hand) could return to the lineup next week, Klentak said. The team has not ruled out a return for Eflin, who has a strained right shoulder, but it is unlikely.