Injuries & Moves: Harper back from paternity list; Clemens optioned

April 25th, 2024

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April 25: 1B reinstated from paternity list; INF optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
Harper will have a six-game hitting streak intact as he returns after spending the past three games on the paternity list. Clemens made his mark in his three-day stint in the Majors, going 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs in his one start on Monday.

April 23: RHP set to return Sunday in San Diego
Walker made his final rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will rejoin the Phillies’ rotation this weekend in San Diego. Walker is set to make his season debut in Sunday's finale, manager Rob Thomson said.

10-DAY/15-DAY IL

RHP (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: April 28
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Walker will make his season debut in the series finale against the Padres at Petco Park on April 28, which will allow the Phillies to split up left-handers Ranger Suárez, who will start on April 27, and Cristopher Sánchez, who will start on April 29 in Anaheim.

The Phillies said no decision has been made, but Spencer Turnbull is expected to move to the bullpen upon Walker’s return. Turnbull has not pitched more than 56 2/3 innings in a season since 2019 and the Phillies want to monitor his workload.

“That’s a big part of it,” Thomson said recently. “You can’t add too many innings. If you get him to 100 innings this year, or maybe a little bit more, I think we’d be doing pretty good.”

The Phillies think they can give Turnbull enough work out of the bullpen to keep him stretched out, if he is needed to start again. (Last updated: April 23)

RHP Luis F. Ortiz (sprained left ankle)
Expected return: TBD
Ortiz is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on April 23 with Class-A Clearwater. He will pitch again on April 25. Ortiz sprained his left ankle leaping for a high chopper in his March 30 appearance. He will need time to rebuild his arm strength. (Last updated: April 21)

RHP (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: TBD
Covey is playing catch from 150 feet. He might throw off the mound the week of April 22 for the first time since his final Grapefruit League appearance on March 1. (Last updated: April 21)

RHP (right hand arterial vasospasm)
Expected return: TBD
Rucker is playing catch from 120 feet. He last pitched on March 1. (Last updated: April 21)

C Rafael Marchán (lower back pain)
Expected return: TBD
Marchán has been sidelined since February because of a back injury. (Last updated: March 29)