Phillies hope Kyle Schwarber ‘moving in the right direction’ to return to lineup

Kyle Schwarber was out of the Phillies lineup on Wednesday, missing the third consecutive game with an illness.

Schwarber missed all three games against his hometown Cincinnati Reds, after waking up the morning of the series opener on Monday feeling under the weather. Interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that the designated hitter was dealing with a “stomach issue.”

He believes that Schwarber is “getting closer” to being available as a pinch-hitter. He was unavailable off the bench during Monday and Tuesday’s games but could have played Wednesday in the Phillies’ 9-4 loss.

Schwarber had his helmet on in the dugout in the ninth inning, but with the Phillies trailing by five, they opted not to use him.

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“We just didn’t get to the spot, or get a chance that his at-bat was going to make the difference,” Mattingly said.

But Schwarber was feeling better as the game progressed.

“Hoping we’re moving in the right direction,” Mattingly said.

Even after sitting for three straight days, Schwarber still leads the major leagues with 20 home runs, while his OPS of .980 ranks fourth. His 70 strikeouts are third-most in the majors, but when he does make contact, it’s barreled 25.9% of the time.

Bryce Harper was in the lineup as designated hitter for the second time during this series against the Reds. Alec Bohm slid over to first base, with Edmundo Sosa at third. Mattingly said he wanted to take the opportunity to give Harper a break from playing in the field.

“Pretty much any time we get a chance to get [Harper] off his feet,” Mattingly said, “knowing that Kyle’s going to be back. And basically Kyle plays every day and sucks up the DH [spot] most of the time, so anytime we can get him off his feet, knowing it’s going to be a long season and he’s going to be out there pretty much every day, I’m going to try to do that.”

Adolis García was moved up to second in the order for the first time this season, in between Trea Turner and Harper against Reds lefty Andrew Abbott. In the first two games with Schwarber out, Harper hit in the No. 2 spot, but he prefers No. 3.

“We try to do it sparingly, but since it’s got extended past a day or two, just want to get him out of there and give him a different feel,” Mattingly said.

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Plate discipline has been a point of emphasis for García this year. He has decreased his chase rate from 35.8% last season to 27.8%, but on occasion can still fall into bad habits.

In the first inning against Abbott, García battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk. He finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

“He’s been in and out. I thought the last homestand he was really good, struggled a little bit on the road, but today just trying to give him a little boost,” Mattingly said.

After Thursday’s off day, Cristopher Sánchez (5-2, 1.82 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against Cleveland Guardians righty Gavin Williams (6-3, 3.67 ERA) at Citizens Bank Park.

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