The Phillies will allow Spencer Howard to compete for a rotation spot in spring training | Extra Innings

And they’re off!

Phillies pitchers and catchers got together for their first workout of spring training Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla. Never mind that the weather didn’t cooperate. The pitchers threw from indoor mounds; hitters took batting practice inside. Everyone “got their work in,” as the saying goes.

It’s not a normal spring training, of course. In keeping with health and safety protocols that were instituted last year and enhanced last week, manager Joe Girardi and the coaches wore masks. Away from the team facility, players and staff must carry contact-tracing devices and avoid indoor gatherings of more than 10 people.

“Our guys handled it really well today, and we’ll continue to remind them to be diligent in their efforts — washing hands, using your mask, staying in your little bubble,” Girardi said. “I know you have to get food and pick up food, but we have a number of things that we’re asking them to follow. They did a great job last year, and I expect them to do it this year.”

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— Scott Lauber (extrainnings@inquirer.com)

Last year, the Phillies put prized pitching prospect Spencer Howard on a deliberate spring-training program because he had missed time in 2019 with a sore shoulder.

Now, it appears the kid gloves are coming off the kid starter.

Howard is in the mix for a spot in the season-opening rotation, according to Girardi, even though he threw only 24 1/3 innings as a rookie last season and dealt with a recurrence of the shoulder issue in September.

“He’s not on a slower progression,” Girardi said Wednesday. “He’s in competition, so we need to try and get him ready to see where he’s at.”

The Phillies still intend to be careful with Howard. The 24-year-old right-hander threw a total of 123 2/3 innings in game conditions over the last two seasons. Even in pre-pandemic times, most teams built pitchers’ workloads gradually from one year to the next, often increasing the innings total by only about 20% to 30%.

Howard made his major-league debut last August and had a 5.52 ERA in six starts. But the Phillies remain bullish on his talent. They aren’t certain how many innings he will be able to provide this season, but given his potential, they hope to maximize his impact.

One potential solution: Shorten Howard’s starts by splitting them up with another starter in a “piggyback” scenario. Another is to utilize a six-man rotation at various times during the season.

But Girardi isn’t putting restrictions on Howard in spring training. If the Phillies open the season with a standard five-man rotation, it appears to be a four-way battle for two spots among veteran newcomers Matt Moore and Chase Anderson, Howard, and holdover Vince Velasquez.

“If he was to start, we would anticipate that he would be a fourth or fifth starter,” Girardi said. “During his progression in spring training, he might go a little slower. But he will compete for a spot in the rotation.”

Like it or not, the Phillies will give center fielder Odúbel Herrera a second chance to prove himself — as a player and a person. Matt Breen has the story.

How is it that an elite pitcher from April to August for three years running can keep stubbing his toe so badly whenever the Phillies reach the final leg of the wild-card race? I wrote about Aaron Nola and the mystery of his wretched Septembers.

Add lefty Tony Watson to the list of veteran relievers who signed a minor-league contract for a chance to win a spot in the Phillies bullpen.

The honeymoon is over for Girardi. In his second year at the helm, it’s time to lead the playoff-starved Phillies to October, as Bob Brookover writes.

Monday: Phillies’ first full-squad workout.

Feb. 28: Grapefruit League opener vs. Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

March 1: First spring-training home game vs. Orioles, 1:05 p.m.

April 1: Opening day vs. Braves at Citizens Bank Park, 3:05 p.m.

In its attempt to play through the pandemic, the NBA has had to postpone 30 games this season. The NHL has postponed 35 games, with a half-dozen teams suspending activities because of outbreaks.

What, then, makes MLB confident that spring training won’t be similarly disrupted across Florida and Arizona?

“I really think that us going through it last year gives us a better example of what to expect and what we need to do to be successful,” Girardi said. “We traveled last year. The NBA when they came back did not travel. Hockey, I believe they were in a bubble as well. The scare that we went through last year with [outbreaks involving] Miami and St. Louis was really eye-opening for everyone, how quickly this can be taken down.”

Send questions by email or on Twitter @ScottLauber.

Answer: Great question, @phillyphan96, although at this point, not even Girardi and pitching coach Caleb Cotham can answer it. But everyone loves a good roster projection, so as it pertains to the bullpen, here’s mine: Archie Bradley, Héctor Neris, Connor Brogdon, Brandon Kintzler, José Alvarado, JoJo Romero, David Hale, and Vince Velasquez.

Answer: These questions are related, @Scottacular7 (great name!) and @MarcRoss66, so I’ll take them together. At this point, no, I don’t think the Phillies will trade for or sign a center fielder. They have eight in camp and will seek to fill the position internally.

Adam Haseley, Roman Quinn, and Scott Kingery are the leading candidates. Girardi will give each an opportunity to win the job outright. If none does, he will split up playing time based on matchups and other factors.

It’s difficult to see anyone else emerging. Mickey Moniak and Simon Muzziotti are on the 40-man roster but likely bound for triple A and double A, respectively. As a nonroster invitee, Travis Jankowski is a longer long shot, while 20-year-old prospect Johan Rojas hasn’t played short-season Class A ball.

Could Herrera reclaim his old job? He would have to have a terrific camp, but then, stranger things have happened.