CLEARWATER, Fla. – Less than a week before opening day, the Phillies still have not named a closer.
“It’s up in the air,” manager Pete Mackanin said after rain forced the cancellation of Tuesday’s game against the Yankees after four innings.
David Hernandez came into camp as the lead candidate, but he was slowed by a triceps strain early in camp. He has since caught up and could end up as the guy, depending on what he shows in the final days of the exhibition season. He is expected to get some work in the Phillies’ final game in Florida on Wednesday.
Hernandez's contract is structured with an eye toward closing. His base salary is $3.9 million and he could make up to $1 million in bonuses based on games finished.
Dalier Hinojosa is another candidate. He had a strong spring before allowing a two-run home run Monday.
“I think he was overthrowing all of his pitches,” Mackanin said. “His splitter was harder than he normally throws it and it wasn't moving much. I think he might have been auditioning for that role.”
Earlier this month, Mackanin said he preferred to have a set closer rather than a committee. Though he still prefers to go that route, it might be unrealistic at the start of the season.
“Hinojosa and Hernandez are candidates,” Mackanin said. “After that, we might have to use a committee situation. It is what it is. We have to try to find somebody who can do it.
“Unless I'm 100 percent sure about somebody that I want to call a closer, I'm not going to call anybody a closer. When you think about it, a closer is somebody that you go to, that you count on for the ninth inning. I don't know if ... I hope we have one. But I'm not going to name one right now just to call a guy closer. That doesn't really mean anything.”
There are three pitchers vying for what looks like one remaining bullpen job.
The game
The Yankees were up, 7-1, when Tuesday’s game was called. Brett Oberholtzer gave up all the runs.
Will Venable, a late entry into outfield competition, had a single in two at-bats. He is battling with Emmanuel Burris and Cedric Hunter for one of the two remaining position spots on the roster.
Mackanin remains high on Hunter.
“I like Hunter,” he said. “I like his aggressive approach at the plate. He has had the best at-bats of anyone in camp other than Maikel Franco – quality at-bats.”
Mackanin hinted that Hunter could bat leadoff on occasion is he makes the team. Cesar Hernandez in another candidate.
Howard struggles
Though game stats were washed out, Ryan Howard struck out twice in two at-bats against Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. Howard struck out twice in Monday’s game (he also had a hit). On Sunday, he got five at-bats in a minor-league game and struck out four times.
Entering the final day in Florida, Howard has struck out in 18 of 48 at-bats in Grapefruit League play. That includes the two against Tanaka on Tuesday. Howard entered the day hitting .217 (10 for 46).
Mackanin said he was concerned about Howard’s piling up the strikeouts.
“I'd like to see better at-bats,” the manager said. “We've got some games left and it's only spring training, but …
“Let's put it this way: I need to see more. More production. In his defense, he's behind everybody. I'd like to think he caught up after missing a week when he was sick. I think he's caught up. Of course, we have to get performance. Numbers matter.”
Howard will be the first baseman opening day against Cincinnati righty Raisel Iglesias. However, he has not given Mackanin any reason not to use a platoon with Darin Ruf facing lefties. Mackanin started that practice last season.
Ruf has had a strong spring with five doubles, four homers, eight walks and a .991 OPS.
Health check
Cody Asche's season-opening stint on the disabled list won't be a quick one. He suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained oblique muscle and is basically back at square one. Oblique injuries tend to require a month of treatment and rehab. Asche did not play in any Grapefruit League games.
Up next
Jeremy Hellickson starts Wednesday against the Astros in Clearwater. Dallas Keuchel, last year’s American League Cy Young award winner, starts for the Astros.