Phillies place Bruce, Quinn on injured list

September 6th, 2020

The Phillies will push their outfield depth for at least the next few days because they are out of bodies.

They announced on Sunday afternoon that they placed outfielder on the 10-day injured list with a left quadriceps strain and outfielder on the seven-day concussion IL. Bruce spent Aug. 21-31 on the IL with the same injury. He might have reinjured himself while running down a fly ball in Saturday night’s 5-1 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. Quinn crashed into the center-field fence in the sixth inning.

The Phillies recalled outfielder Kyle Garlick and right-hander Mauricio Llovera to take their places on the 28-man roster. The team could not replace Bruce and Quinn with two outfielders because it only has six outfielders on the 40-man roster.

“A little challenging right now,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said about his outfield depth following Sunday’s 14-1 loss to the Mets. “I think we have to figure out some things.”

Bryce Harper will play every day in right field. Adam Haseley will take down innings in center as he is the only center fielder remaining on the active roster. The Phillies face left-handed starters on Monday and Tuesday, which is noteworthy because they have made a point to limit Haseley’s plate appearances against left-handed pitching. He has faced lefties only three times this season and 60 times over two seasons compared to 220 plate appearances vs. righties.

“It’s just the way it’s been going this year,” Haseley said. “Throughout my career I’ve played against lefties and righties. I know in the Minors you’re trying to develop and stuff like that, but I’ve always felt confident at the plate, whether it’s left or right. I feel like I’ve prepared and I feel like I compete with a righty or lefty in there."

Andrew McCutchen will play most of the games in left. McCutchen has started 20 of 35 games in left as the Phillies monitor his workload following ACL surgery last summer. The ratio does not figure to increase with Bruce and Quinn on the IL.

“I think it’s dangerous with what he’s coming off of,” Girardi said.

Phil Gosselin, Kyle Garlick and Neil Walker could play left when McCutchen is not there.

Gosselin has started four games in left field this season. Garlick has started once.

It will remain that way until Quinn or Scott Kingery return from the injured list. Girardi said they hope Quinn is back after seven days. Kingery is on the 10-day IL with lower back spasms, but Girardi said Kingery has been progressing. He is eligible to be activated Thursday.

“That was the plan,” Girardi said.

Beyond the 40-man roster, the Phillies have outfielders Mikie Mahtook, Nick Martini and Mickey Moniak in their 60-man player pool. Utility player Ronald Torreyes also is in Allentown, Pa. Odúbel Herrera is the most accomplished outfielder in the Phillies’ system not on the 40-man roster, but they removed him from the 40-man in January following his arrest and charge of simple assault of his girlfriend in May 2019. Charges were dropped, but Herrera got designated for assignment and ultimately outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said in June that Herrera remained under consideration to be added to the player pool, but so far that has not happened.

“He'll continue to gain consideration,” Klentak said in June.