Phillies put reliever Caleb Kilian on injured list with left oblique strain

ST. LOUIS — The overburdened Phillies bullpen has been dealt another blow.

Right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain, the Phillies announced ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals.

Kilian felt a grab in his left side during his second-to-last pitch in the 12th inning of Sunday’s home win over Toronto. Interim manager Don Mattingly said afterward it “didn’t look good,” and Kilian remained back in Philadelphia to get imaging, which revealed a moderate strain.

“Disappointing for us, disappointing for him, I believe too,” Mattingly told reporters. “Guys don’t want to get hurt not being there, but we got to move on and next guy up type thing, and we’ll go from there.”

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The Phillies’ bullpen has been extremely taxed in the last week. The club is in the midst of a stretch of 14 consecutive games before a day off Friday, and played three extra-inning games during its just-completed homestand. Kilian suffered his injury while making his fourth appearance since arriving in Philadelphia on Aug. 4.

To fill Kilian’s spot, the Phillies recalled right-hander Chase Shugart. He had previously been optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday to open a spot for Alan Rangel as emergency relief depth. Since Shugart is replacing a player on the injured list, he does not have to stay in the minor leagues for the typical 15-day minimum.

“We didn’t really want to send [Shugart] out in the first place,” Mattingly said. “We like what he does for us, and just give us an opportunity to bring him back.”

Shugart has a 4.93 ERA in 38⅓ innings this season. He pitched the 10th and 11th innings on Saturday and took the loss against Toronto after giving up a two-run homer to Nathan Lukes.

Bryce Harper was back at designated hitter Monday against the Cardinals, and Kyle Schwarber started at first for the second time in the last three games.

Mattingly said that Harper has been dealing with “general soreness,” which the Phillies are trying to manage. He fouled a ball off his knee sometime before the All-Star break, which the Phillies have been managing.

“That’s kind of been there, but we figured him getting out [in right field] was going to kind of push some things,” Mattingly said. “Stay on top of it. Him and I talked. Making sure that we’re not going to run him into the ground.”

Alec Bohm was out of the lineup against Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins to allow Schwarber to move to first base. But Mattingly said that he’d rather not have Schwarber mix in at first too much, adding that he was still “absolutely” committed to Bohm as his first baseman.

Mattingly acknowledged the play on Saturday against Toronto when Bohm’s indecision prevented him from getting an out on a ground ball hit to him, but said that there were several other plays that Bohm has made “look easy” at first.

“I think he’s been really good over there,” Mattingly said. “His wingspan is so big, and it’s just a great target for guys. It think you see Trea [Turner has] just kind of picked up since he’s been over there. [Bryson] Stott’s been good. I like Bohm over there a lot. I think he does a great job.”

Turner was out of the lineup on Monday for a day off, with Edmundo Sosa starting at shortstop. ... Catcher J.T. Realmuto also had a day off, with Garrett Stubbs behind the plate for starter Andrew Painter. Mattingly said he wanted to pair Realmuto with Cristopher Sánchez on Tuesday and Zack Wheeler on Wednesday, and also wanted to give Realmuto a break from the heat in St. Louis. ... Sánchez (15-4, 2.65 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday opposite Cardinals righty Andre Pallante (12-6, 3.63).

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