PHOENIX -- The Phillies badly need Howie Kendrick in the lineup, but he remains sidelined with tightness in his left hamstring.
Kendrick has not started since Wednesday, although he pinch-hit Friday. and again Sunday; he hit a bloop single up the right-field line in the seventh inning to score a game-tying run in the Phillies' eventual 2-1 loss. He tested the leg again before Sunday afternoon's game against the D-backs at Chase Field, but Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Kendrick still feels it.
Could this eventually put Kendrick on the disabled list?
"Hopefully not," Mackanin said. "He's available to pinch-hit. Hopefully he's better tomorrow. If not, I'm hoping he can at least DH in Seattle. He's one of our best hitters, and I want to get him in there. But I've got to be cautious."
Kendrick is hitting .355 (43-for-121) with eight doubles, one triple, two home runs, 12 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 31 games. He seems likely to be traded before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, which puts the Phillies in an interesting spot. They need him on the field, but they also need to be careful, because if he makes the hamstring worse, it could crush his value.
Kendrick has been playing second base since Cesar Hernandez landed on the DL with a strained left oblique. Andres Blanco started three games last week at second base, and Ty Kelly started Sunday.
Eickhoff looking good

Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session. He is on the DL with a strained upper back, but he hopes to start Wednesday afternoon in Seattle.
"It felt good, no sense of pulling," he said. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow."
Mark Leiter Jr. pitched six scoreless innings in his place Friday against the D-backs.