CLEARWATER, Fla. — As the Phillies continue their first week of spring training games, Cody Asche remains out with an oblique injury that has kept him from swinging the bat for about a week.
Asche and Andres Blanco (shoulder) were the only two players whose names were scratched off the Phillies' lineup card for Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves, signaling their unavailability.
Asche said Thursday that he hopes to get back to playing in the early or middle part of next week, but indicated that was more of a hope than a certainty. He said because of the nature of spring training games and the goal of getting work in, he didn't think it would be necessary for him to get a day or two of swings in the batting cage before returning to the field.
This is obviously not an ideal time for Asche to be dealing with an oblique injury, the type of ailment that hampers a hitter's ability to twist while swinging without feeling pain. While he's been a staple on the Phillies' roster the last few seasons, there's no guarantee Asche has a spot secured on the team long term. Maikel Franco is clearly the third baseman of the future, and Asche will need to show enough offensively and defensively in left field to be a legitimate platoon option there. (Asche had also worked out some at first base of late.)
To date, Asche just hasn't hit enough to warrant a spot in the corner infield or outfield. He had a strong start to last season but fizzled out after hitting .301 in April 2015, batting just .233 with a .284 on-base percentage the rest of the way. In exactly 300 career big-league games, Asche's hit .246 with a .301 OBP and not nearly enough pop to make up for the lack of times on base.
Asche, 25, is still an inexpensive player for the Phillies, so they can afford to wait things out and see how or if he develops. He isn't set for free agency until after the 2019 season.
As for Blanco, his roster spot appears secure, which isn't something a journeyman utility infielder is often able to say. He hit well enough last season to warrant a $1.45 million, guaranteed major-league deal for 2016, and is also viewed as a mentor to the Phillies' many young players.
It's obviously early for opening day roster projections, but if the Phillies don't suffer any long-term injuries in camp and start the season with five bench players, it's safe to assume that the bench would include Blanco, Darin Ruf, Rule 5 outfielder Tyler Goeddel and the backup catcher. That would leave one spot for a group of players that includes Asche, utilityman Darnell Sweeney and perhaps outfielder David Lough. The possibility always exists, too, that the Phils could sign someone who is waived or released by another club. Others like Emmanuel Burriss and Taylor Featherston are around to provide organizational depth.
Cordero throws 'pen session
Relief prospect Jimmy Cordero, acquired from Toronto in the Ben Revere trade, threw his first bullpen session of the spring Friday. He had been dealing with biceps soreness, and it seems he's a week or so away from being able to show off his blazing fastball in a Grapefruit League game.