⚾ Cause for concern? | Sports Daily Newsletter

Good morning and happy Friday. We at Sports Daily don’t like to push the panic button, but we also know a potentially worrisome situation when we see one.

Aidan Miller has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game for the Phillies, who are being abundantly careful with their 2023 first-round pick. At 21, he has been bothered by a sore lower back. Bryce Harper even brought up the injury in a televised interview.

The shortstop said he woke up with a “super tight” back one day last week and the feeling did not go away after treatment. Miller said that nothing specific on the field caused the soreness. He also said he felt it last season.

He was not likely to make the opening-day roster anyway, but Miller is one of the top prospects in the organization. The team has a lot riding on that back. Scott Lauber reports on the young player’s frustration.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Will the Eagles trade A.J. Brown? The wide receiver’s name has come up among the media and NFL officials this week at the scouting combine, and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has expressed his affection for Brown. (Vrabel coached him with the Titans.) If Howie Roseman can get enough interest from teams for the star receiver, he might work out a deal.

At any rate, Jeff McLane writes, the Eagles are likely to decide whether to trade or retain Brown within a matter of days.

Zack Wheeler toed the rubber on a mound Thursday for the first time in more than six months.

The 21 pitches — all four-seams and sinkers — Wheeler threw at the Phillies’ Carpenter Complex marked the next major step in his journey back from Sept. 23 thoracic outlet decompression surgery.

Could Wheeler conceivably be ready to pitch in major league games in six weeks’ time?

Taijuan Walker looked to be in regular-season form when he picked off a Nationals runner and then used his WBC tune-up to work on two of his pitches.

Next: The Phillies will split up today, with one group hosting the Marlins in Clearwater and the other headed to Lakeland, Fla., to play the Tigers (1:05 p.m., NBCSP+). Aaron Nola is scheduled to start against Miami and Jean Cabrera will start against Detroit.

Tyrese Maxey is in his sixth season with the Sixers, but already he has surpassed a franchise record held by Allen Iverson, who spent 12 seasons here. Maxey became the team’s all-time leader in made three-pointers on Thursday, surpassing Iverson’s record of 885.

Now at 887 three-pointers made, he hit five threes in the first quarter alone, finishing with a team high 28 points in the Sixers’ 124-117 win over Miami last night.

Bill Koch has been a fixture at Father Judge High as an assistant football and basketball coach since the 1970s. Now 76, Koch shows no signs of slowing down.

“He’s a lifer,” says basketball coach Chris Roantree. “People associate Mr. Koch with Father Judge and Father Judge with Mr. Koch. He’s been a part of Father Judge for 50-plus years. He’s the ultimate Judge Guy in my eyes in terms of everything he’s done for kids.” Now Koch is celebrating a Catholic League title and Matt Breen tells his story.

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos focus on Public and Catholic League basketball finals, the Phillies at spring training and more.

We asked: Do you think Joel Embiid can help the Sixers make a playoff run this season? Among your responses:

When available, Embiid is still a dominant force on both ends of the court. Can he play on an every-other-day schedule? We hope so, but history tells us not to get our hopes up. — Bob C.

Of course Embiid would certainly help the 76ers in a playoff run. But he has to play. — Tom G.

Absolutely the 76ers would make a serious run in the East if Embiid can stay healthy during the NBA playoffs this year. Embiid, unfortunately, is this generation’s Bill Walton. A Hall of Fame talent with a body that continues to betray him. A healthy Embiid should get the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Finals. Book it! — John F.

Sure if he can play every other game. If he can only play every 5th game, forgetaboutit. — Bill M.

I don’t think Embiid will ever bring Philly a championship. This has been going on too long with the so-called development, the Process, and now getting used to him playing every 5th game. Enough is enough with this process, it’s time to move on. The fans have had enough, work out a trade or just end this, you’re hurting the Maxey and the rest of the lineup. It’s a fast game and he’s in his own world with his pace of play. Enough! — Dick F.

I think he’s wasting his talent. Sixers probably don’t need him when one game he plays well but then he’s out. He’s just not a strong enough person to give 100 percent. I say trade him and complete the team to compete. — Jim E.

He will never be available enough for the Sixers to be a factor even if they make the playoffs. Josh Harris doesn’t give a hoot about the Sixers. All he cares about now is the Washington Commanders. — James

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Scott Lauber, Lochlahn March, Matt Breen, Jeff McLane, Gina Mizell, Jonathan Tannenwald, Jackie Spiegel, Jeff Neiburg, Ryan Mack, Gabriela Carroll, and Mel Greenberg.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thank you for reading and have a great weekend. Sports Daily will return to your inbox on Monday. — Jim