Month after knee surgery, Kratz to start rehab stint
Phillies catcher begins assignment Monday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley
PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies catcher Erik Kratz is ready to go.
He has been on the disabled list since June 9 because of a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. He had surgery to repair the knee a short time later, but he learned Sunday he will begin a rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"I'm pretty much doing everything," he said before he got the news.
Kratz, who remains fourth on the team with eight homers, has been hitting, catching and running. He said he feels better than he felt before he injured himself last month running to first base in Milwaukee.
"I'm very surprised," Kratz said. "It's amazing. I know I'm supposed to take my time, but I've passed every test. Eventually, you'll have to play in a game. I feel really close to that."
Left-hander Jeremy Horst, who has been on the DL since June 16 with a sprained left elbow, will continue his rehab with Lehigh Valley. He made his first rehab appearance Saturday with Class A Clearwater.