Andrew Painter expected to make his next start; Derek Hill avoided injury from collision
Imaging on came back clear on Painter, who left Wednesday's start with hamstring tightness. Hill is sore, but "feels like he probably should, after running into a wall,” said Don Mattingly.
The Phillies’ 10-4 loss to the Nationals on Wednesday was overshadowed by several injury scares. Andrew Painter left his start after just four innings with hamstring tightness, while Derek Hill exited with a bruised shoulder after crashing into the center field wall in the 11th. After both players were evaluated on Thursday, though, the Phillies were optimistic.
Imaging on Painter came back clear, and interim manager Don Mattingly said he is expected to make his next start.
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“It’s obviously a sigh of relief that you know you’re not going to be searching for a starter every fifth day. And really everything last night could have been a lot worse,” Mattingly said.
Hill went through protocols and evaluation after the collision. He was sore but has avoided injury.
“He feels like he probably should, after running into a wall,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly added that depending on how Hill progressed through pregame activities, the outfielder might be available off the bench on Thursday.
Bryce Harper was also checked out by trainers Wednesday night after jamming his hand while attempting to steal second in the 10th, but remained in the game and was fine afterward. Harper was back in the lineup in right field on Thursday.
No matter what moves the Phillies make before the trade deadline Monday, they will have to fix some of their issues internally. Chief among them: Trea Turner's defense at shortstop. And that's where infield coach Bobby Dickerson comes in. Dickerson sat down with "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast, to discuss Turner's struggles, the problems with analytics in measuring defense, his unique coaching style, and more. Watch here.
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