Phillies' Howie Kendrick leaves game with injured hand
Howie Kendrick's trade value took a dip on Wednesday night when he left the game after being hit by a pitch in the left hand.
Howie Kendrick's trade value took a dip on Wednesday night when he left the game after being hit by a pitch in the left hand.
The pitch — a 91 mph fastball from Houston righthander Mike Fiers — struck Kendrick in the third inning. He took the field in the fourth inning but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning. The Phillies said he left the game with "left hand soreness." Manager Pete Mackanin said Kendrick's injury is a bruise, which could allow him to still play himself into a trade.
The Phillies are hoping to ship Kendrick off to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline. That will now depend on Kendrick's health.
Kendrick returned to the Phillies last Friday after spending three weeks on the disabled list with a hamstring. He was on the disabled list earlier this season with an abdominal strain. Earlier on Wednesday, the Phillies lost a chance to trade Daniel Nava when he was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. The Phillies will still try to move righthanders Pat Neshek, Joaquin Benoit, and Jeremy Hellickson.