CLEARWATER, Fla — Another spring day, another Phillies’ starter scratched.
Not to worry, insisted veteran Jerome Williams, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday and replaced by David Buchanan because he had tweaked his right hamstring.
“It’s not serious, not serious at all,” declared Williams, who said he will definitely make his next start on Sunday in Fort Myers against the Red Sox.
Williams, who has allowed three runs in eight exhibition innings, said the injury occurred on Sunday. “I was running some sprints and I felt it a little bit,” he explained.
“It was a freak accident. I just treated it. I’ll be ready.”
Williams had even ordered a special green glove in honor of St. Patrick’s Day to wear while he was pitching on Tuesday.
Journeyman, long reliever, spot starter — whatever you choose to call him, Williams now finds himself in the right place at the right time to grab a spot in the Phillies' unsettled starting rotation.
MLB
Out of sight, not out of mind
Cliff Lee’s corner locker was completely cleaned out Tuesday morning. The name plate atop his locker was gone and his chair sat empty.
Meanwhile, the other Phillies went about their business of preparing for the season ahead.
As saddened as Lee’s teammates may be by his plight, and as much as the team will miss him in their starting rotation, the game goes on.
Elvis still in the building
Left-hander Elvis Araujo has made five relief appearances for the Phillies this spring. He has pitched five innings and he has allowed just one run, a homer by Tampa Bays’ Logan Forsythe on Tuesday.
“I’m just trying to throw strikes,” explained Araujo, who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, but says he weighs 280.
As a free agent during the off-season, the 23-year-old Araujo said he had offers from “a couple other teams,” but signed with the Phillies because, “I see a chance to be in the big leagues.”
“He continues to be solid,” said Sandberg. “He makes pitches when he has to.”
Herrera makes second start in left
Odubel Herrera, who has been one of the few bright spots on a Phillies' offense that ranks last in the National League in batting average (.255) and slugging percentage (.315), started in left field Tuesday for the second time this spring.
Herrera, a former second baseman who was selected by the Phillies during last December’s Rule 5 draft, was converted to centerfield while playing winter ball in Venezuela.
He has been working on his defense with coach Juan Samuel this spring.
Herrera’s versatility enhances the 23-year-old outfielder’s value to the Phillies, who must offer him back to the Rangers if they decide not to keep him on the roster when the regular season begins.
“The more positions he learns, whether it’s left field, whether it’s a little bit of right field, second base, center field, he could be very versatile,” manager Ryne Sandberg said. “If he gets a hot bat, his legs really play on the bases and offensively. He really tends to bring a spark to the offense often.”
Herrera is a player without an obvious position. That was why the Rangers left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. But the Phillies, who are desperate for offense, are intrigued by his bat.
“He shows his athletic ability just about every day he plays at some point or another,” Sandberg said. “He continues to impress.”
Herrera has hit at every level in the minors. He won batting titles in the Texas League and the Venezuelan Winter League.
Up next
Well-traveled, 36-year-old Aaron Harang, who missed his last start because of back spasms, will face the New York Yankees Thursday night — an appearance that takes on added importance after Harang was scratched from two of his first three scheduled starts this spring because of back issues.
The Phillies have an off-day Wednesday.
Harang has a 122-128 career record with seven different big league clubs before signing with the Phils.