LATEST NEWS

March 23: Phillies acquire INF Esteban Quiroz from Cubs
Quiroz, 31, made his MLB debut last season with the Cubs, going 11-for-40 (.275) with three RBIs and one stolen base over 14 games. Though he played exclusively at second base with Chicago, he also spent time at third base and shortstop during his time in the Minors.

March 23: C Vito Friscia, RHP Jake Jewell, INF Vimael Machín and C Cody Roberts reassigned to Minor League camp
Friscia and Roberts had provided catcher depth with J.T. Realmuto at the World Baseball Classic and Garrett Stubbs dealing with a sprained right knee. But with Realmuto back in camp and Stubbs expected to be ready by Opening Day, the duo was reassigned to Minors camp ahead of Thursday's game against the Tigers. Machín, meanwhile, went 5-for-14 (.357) in 10 Grapefruit League games.

• All Phillies transactions

INJURY UPDATES

LHP Ranger Suárez (tenderness in left forearm)
Expected return: Likely to start season on 15-day IL
The Phillies canceled Suárez’s bullpen session on March 22 because of inflammation in his left elbow. They said an MRI exam revealed no structural damage, but they have shut him down for throwing for a few days. Thomson said Suárez is unlikely to be ready to pitch the first week of the season, although he added he could not completely rule out the possibility. Suárez has not pitched since he felt tenderness in his left forearm while pitching for Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic exhibition on March 8 against Houston. (Last updated: March 22)

LHP Cristopher Sánchez (left triceps tightness)
Expected return: TBD
Sánchez threw a bullpen session on March 22 that Thomson said went very well. Sánchez’s fastball averaged only 90.2 mph on March 14, down a whopping 2.8 mph from last season’s average. The Phillies said the next day that Sánchez was injured. He entered camp as starting-pitching depth. (Last updated: March 22)

RHP Nick Nelson (strained left hamstring)
Expected return: TBD
An MRI revealed the severity of Nelson’s injured left hamstring, and he will open the season on the injured list. Nelson entered camp as starting-pitching depth and also as a candidate to be the team’s last man in the bullpen. He is playing catch from 120 feet. (Last updated: March 22)

C Garrett Stubbs (sprained right knee)
Expected return: By Opening Day
Stubbs caught Aaron Nola’s bullpen session on March 22, which is a good step in his recovery. He said he might hit in the batting cage soon, too. Regardless, Stubbs said he remains on track to be ready by Opening Day. He tweaked his knee while playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. (Last updated: March 22)

DH/RF Bryce Harper (Tommy John surgery on right elbow)
Expected return: Before the All-Star break
The Phillies are optimistic enough about Harper’s recovery from Tommy John surgery that they announced on March 21 that he will not open the season on the 60-day IL. If Harper had, he could not have rejoined the Phillies earlier than May 29. Starting Harper on the 10-day IL leaves the door open for an earlier return. Harper continues to take 40 swings of soft toss every other day. His next step is hitting on consecutive days. Harper is not sure when that will happen. “Maybe sometime in April, if I had to guess, for back-to-back,” Harper said on March 19. (Last updated: March 22)

RHP Andrew Painter (sprained UCL in right elbow)
Expected return: Midsummer
Painter, the Phillies' top prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball, has a sprained right proximal ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He could begin a light tossing program around March 29. Painter and the Phillies said they are confident that rest and rehab will allow him to avoid surgery in the future. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on March 19 that he expects Painter to pitch for the team this season. (Last updated: March 19)

RHP Noah Song (back tightness)
Expected return: TBD
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that Song will open the season on the injured list because of a back issue. Dombrowski said on March 19 that Song has been shut down for a couple weeks. Song, a Rule 5 Draft pick, needs to be placed on the 40-man roster by Opening Day, unless he is placed on the 60-day IL. But he will need to be on the active roster for at least 90 days this season to remain in the organization. (Last updated: March 19)

C Rafael Marchan (bruised right hand)
Expected return: TBD
Marchan has not played since March 7 because of what the Phillies said is a bruised hamate on his throwing hand. He can catch, but he cannot hit. He might need another week before he starts doing that. Marchan is the team’s third catcher on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: March 15)

• More injury news