CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies manager Joe Girardi’s eyes lit up when he was asked about Andrew McCutchen running the bases in the first inning on Monday at BayCare Ballpark.

McCutchen moved well. He showed no limp, either.

“That’s like the first time I’ve seen him really, really run,” Girardi said following the 4-4 seven-inning tie with the Orioles.

McCutchen hit a leadoff single, then easily reached third on Jean Segura’s double to left.

“During the season, we might send him [home] there,” Girardi said. “Right now, it doesn’t make any sense, but I was like, 'Wow, that’s great.' It stood out to me.”

McCutchen had ACL surgery on his left knee in June 2019. He said last week that he entered camp feeling healthy.

Joyce impresses
Non-roster invitee Matt Joyce went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. He is competing for a bench job.

Joyce, 36, is a 13-year veteran who spent last season with the Marlins. A left-handed hitter, he plays left and right field, but Girardi said he might ask Joyce to take ground balls at first base to add to his positional versatility.

Bench bat Brad Miller hits left-handed, too. Is there a spot on the bench for both?

Yes, Girardi said.

“We have a right-handed-hitting lineup,” he said. “It gives you some flexibility there.”

Joyce, who also made an impressive diving grab in the third inning, is in camp on a Minor League contract. There are a few other non-roster invitees in camp, who, like Joyce, have legitimate chances to make the team, including right-handers Brandon Kintzler and Héctor Rondón, as well as left-hander Tony Watson. Unlike those three, Joyce does not have an opt-out clause in his deal, although his $100,000 retention bonus acts as an informal one, because it is unlikely the Phillies send him to Triple-A if he does not make the team. Outfielder Odúbel Herrera is a non-roster player in mini-camp, but he could work himself into the conversation. Herrera has participated in live batting practice with big leaguers the past two days at Carpenter Complex. He could appear in a Grapefruit League game this week.

Can the Phillies keep more than a couple non-roster players? They would have to clear room on the 40-man roster to do it.

“I think we’re in the win-now mode, so yeah, I think you try to take the best team you can take,” Girardi said.

Didi, Rhys, Bryce and J.T.
The Phillies are bringing along four of their key players slowly, but three of them could play this week.

Didi Gregorius is behind schedule after arriving to camp late last week following visa issues in Curaçao. Rhys Hoskins is returning from left elbow surgery in October. Bryce Harper is easing into camp. He battled back issues late last season, but he entered Spring Training healthy.

Girardi said Gregorius is likely to be the first of that group to play this week, followed by Hoskins and Harper.

J.T. Realmuto will have another X-ray on his fractured right thumb later this week. If it is healing well, he could move into a splint. If not, he will remain in a cast.

Nola is working
Right-hander Aaron Nola watched his brother Austin play in the postseason last season as a catcher with the Padres. San Diego had an incredible offseason, bringing top-shelf talent to the rotation and signing Fernando Tatis Jr. to a $340 million contract extension.

Maybe the Nolas can meet up in October this season.

“I’d love to,” Aaron said about making the postseason for the first time in his career. “I think we will pretty soon.”

Nola allowed four hits and two runs in two innings in Monday’s spring debut.

Extra bases
• Right-hander Spencer Howard impressed again in a live BP session at Carpenter Complex.

• Right-hander Zack Wheeler will start Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Fellow righty Zach Eflin will start Wednesday against the Tigers in Lakeland.

• The Phillies announced 1,886 fans at BayCare for their Grapefruit League home opener.