PHILADELPHIA -- Edubray Ramos felt some tightness in his right shoulder after pitching Sunday night in Washington. Tests on that shoulder Monday revealed what the Phillies called an impingement. If the situation demanded it, manager Gabe Kapler said, Ramos felt like he could pitch in Monday's series opener vs. the Yankees.
The Phillies won't take that chance and placed Ramos on the 10-day disabled list. He expects to be there for the minimum 10 days.
"This is very much precautionary," Kapler said, "keeping in mind that we want him healthy for the long haul."
Hector Neris, a week after being sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to clear his head, replaced Ramos on the active roster. Neris entered 2018 as the Phillies' closer, but lost that job and by June 17 saw his ERA balloon to 6.00.
The Phillies wanted Neris to rediscover his splitter after losing command of his signature pitch. He pitched twice in Triple-A, totaling two innings with one hit allowed, a walk and two strikeouts. IronPigs pitching coach Dave Lundquist reported an improved delivery, Kapler said, and with a hole in the Major League bullpen, that was enough to bring Neris back.
"Does that translate to a whole bunch of success at the Major League level?" Kapler said. "We'll have to wait and see. But certainly, it's encouraging.
"Ideally, you have a chance to let these things play out, but given the fact that we're playing the Yankees, it's nice to have Hector back."
Neris had a tidy return to the Majors in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees, pitching a 1-2-3 seventh with strikeouts of Gleyber Torres and Neil Walker.
In Ramos, the Phillies lost one of their best relievers. The two earned runs he allowed Sunday were his first since May 8. In the 13 1/3 innings since that outing, Neris allowed just 10 hits while striking out 13 and walking four. His ERA dropped to 0.64. As the bullpen struggled, Ramos was a dependable arm.
"It's been challenging," Kapler said of navigating the injuries in the Phillies 'pen. "But, again, in a lot of ways, I think through various stretches we've done a really good job of weathering the storm. When we've had other guys down, we've had other guys step up and perform."
Neshek getting close to return
While Luis Garcia (right wrist sprain) and Ramos are down, the Phillies appear to have Pat Neshek, who hasn't pitched in the Majors this year because of right shoulder and forearm strains, on the verge of returning. He was at Citizens Bank Park on Monday after a rehab outing last week in Clearwater. He'll pitch in Double-A Reading again Tuesday.
"It might be one more [rehab outing], it might be a couple more, it might be four more," Neshek said. "I don't know."
Neshek said he'd like to get into a routine and gain some more velocity on his pitches. He threw a changeup last week that registered at just 62 mph.
"My slider was really good," Neshek said. "I faced three lefties. I had a good two-seamer going. Good changeup. It was a lot of fun."
The 37-year-old said he's ready for whatever situation Kapler puts him, closing games included.
"Everything," Neshek said of the role he can play. "Plug and play, man."
Extra bases
Jesmuel Valentin was activated from paternity leave Monday after the birth of his daughter. To make room on the roster, Mitch Walding was optioned to Triple-A.