Phillies Notes: Galvis sits out; average has dipped to .289

Freddy Galvis will enter the series opener Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds in his biggest slump in an otherwise great first two months of the season. The Phillies' 25-year-old shortstop sat Sunday, his fifth day off in the season's first 52 games.

A recent 12-game stretch dropped Galvis' batting average from .355 to .289 after the loss to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. He had just seven hits in his last 52 at-bats and was hitless in his last 13.

The ever-confident Galvis said he believes he is still hitting the ball well, just to the wrong spots on the field.

"That's something that's going to happen," he said. "The season is long. But we have to keep working, and that's it."

Cesar Hernandez started at shortstop and batted second in Galvis' place in the 4-1 loss Sunday. The 24-year-old utility infielder was hitless in four at-bats.

Jonathan Papelbon definitely didn't come to Philadelphia for this.

The $13 million-

per-year closer pitched the ninth inning with the Phillies trailing by three runs. It was just his second appearance in 10 days for a team that has lost a season-worst seven consecutive games.

His other recent appearance came Wednesday in a 7-0 loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Papelbon allowed a hit Sunday but struck out two in a scoreless frame, lowering his ERA to 1.35. The outing marked the 19th game he has finished this season. His $13 million option for next season vests with 29 more games finished.

After a great first month as a major-leaguer, Odubel Herrera struggled at the plate for most of May. The Rule 5 draft pick hit just .202 for the season's second month after posting a .301 average in April.

The 23-year-old centerfielder capped his May on a positive note, though. His two-hit game Sunday was his first multi-hit performance since May 12, a span of 17 games. His seventh-inning single to load the bases snapped an 0-for-16 skid.

Chad Billingsley (shoulder strain) played catch before the game for the second time since he resumed throwing. The righthander expects to throw off a mound next week when the Phillies are in Cincinnati. At least one minor-league rehab start would follow. . . . Reds ace Johnny Cueto, who has not pitched since May 19 because of elbow stiffness, is expected to start Tuesday night against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

- Jake Kaplan