CLEARWATER, Fla. — Maybe the tenderness in David Hernandez’s right arm is nothing serious.
Then again, Aaron Altherr’s wrist injury was thought not to be serious and now he’s headed for surgery and a recovery of up to six months (see story).
You never know with these things so Hernandez’s condition is worth watching.
Hernandez, projected to be the Phillies’ closer, has not pitched in over a week.
General manager Matt Klentak said Hernandez has been experiencing triceps tendinitis.
“He’s day to day,” Klentak said Wednesday.
Manager Pete Mackanin said Hernandez had some “tenderness,” but added it was not serious.
Hernandez was the only free agent that the Phillies signed to a big-league deal this winter. He had Tommy John surgery in March 2014 and returned to action with Arizona last season.
Hernandez said he was not injured.
“No, just taking it slow,” he said. “I’m just trying to manage my appearances.”
With nearly a month remaining before opening day, Hernandez has plenty of time to get ready for the season, but first he has to get back on the mound. Until he does that, this is a situation worth watching.
The game
The competition for the fifth starter’s job is getting interesting. Vince Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer both pitched three scoreless innings against the Pirates on Monday.
Adam Morgan followed with three scoreless innings of his own on Tuesday, also against the Pirates.
Morgan allowed a hit and a walk. He did not strike out a batter.
“I was pleased with my execution,” he said. “I’m just trying to throw strikes and when I miss, miss down.”
Morgan, a 26-year-old lefty, went 5-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts in the majors last season. The Phillies added much starting pitching depth (Velasquez, Oberholtzer, Charlie Morton, Jeremy Hellickson) over the winter and Morgan is not assured a spot in the big-league rotation at the start of the season.
He enjoys competing for his job.
“These guys are awesome in here,” Morgan said. “The competition in here is just making everybody else better. So for them to go out and throw three innings scoreless, that’s awesome for them. We’re here to make the Phillies better because we’re playing for the same team.
“You always set the bar high. I’m going out there every day to try to win that fifth spot, just like other guys are, too. Like I said, the competition is great.”
Other notes
Darin Ruf hit his first spring homer. It came off lefty Jonathan Niese.
The Phillies play two games on Wednesday. They will send a squad to Fort Myers to play the Twins while another stays back in Clearwater to play the Orioles. Youngsters Jake Thompson, Zach Eflin and Mark Appel will get work in Fort Myers. Hellickson will start in Clearwater.