The Phillies will be without fleet-footed outfielder Roman Quinn for “at least several weeks” after an MRI revealed a Grade 2 groin strain, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters Thursday (link via Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia). He’s joined Odubel Herrera on the injured list, leaving the Phillies without their top two options in center field.
With Quinn and Herrera on the shelf, Aaron Altherr becomes Philadelphia’s top option in center field. It wasn’t long ago that the out-of-options Altherr looked like a potential roster casualty, but the Phils are now short on alternative options to man center field. Journeymen Lane Adams and Shane Robinson are currently on the roster in Triple-A; former first-rounders Mickey Moniak and Adam Haseley are in Double-A but lack experience and success in the upper minors.
Injuries have begun to pile up in Philadelphia, where they’ve not only lost their top two center fielders but their top two options at shortstop. Both Jean Segura and Scott Kingery are on the injured list with the same injury as Herrera (a strained hamstring), which forced the Phils to select the contract of veteran utilityman Sean Rodriguez earlier this week. He’s currently paired up with fellow veteran bench bat Phil Gosselin in being tasked with shortstop duties for the banged-up Philadelphia club.
For the time being, Quinn’s injury prevents the Phillies from having to make a determination on how to proceed with an outfield mix that has more bodies than available at-bats when at full strength. A healthy Phillies outfield would feature Andrew McCutchen in left, Herrera in center and Bryce Harper in right field, with Quinn, Altherr and Nick Williams on hand as reserve options. Of the reserve trio, only Quinn and Altherr are viable options in center field, but both players are also out of minor league options, which would seemingly present the Phillies with a 40-man roster call to make. That, however, won’t be the case unless the Phils can get all of their outfielders healthy at the same time.
For now, the Phils will apparently hope that Altherr can bounce back from an awful start at the plate. He has just one hit and one walk through his first 27 trips to the plate — a dismal beginning to what he hoped could be a rebound campaign following a .181/.295/.333 slash in 285 plate appearances last season. Recent struggles aside, Altherr isn’t that far removed from a terrific .272/.340/.516 batting line and 19 home runs back in 2017.
And if Altherr keeps stinking they will leave him there and on the team. It’s what they do best. Just like they keep Hernandez at 2b
“And if Altherr keeps stinking they will leave him there and on the team. It’s what they do best. Just like they keep Hernandez at 2b.”
Hernandez has played much better as of late. What other option would you want to see with both Kingery and Segura on the DL?
The situation the Phillies are in right now is EXACTLY why depth is so important at the MLB level. If Altherr doesn’t start who else do we have at this point? Williams would be a disaster in CF. Why they haven’t put Cutch there short term and played Williams in LF is beyond me. But still, the options are extremely limited
As for Quinn I’m just ready to move on at this point. The dude just can’t stay healthy. I’ve had enough..
Cutch has been a negative drs center fielder the last couple years a believe.
Cutch is scheduled to play CF tonight if they are able to get the game in. Williams gets the start in left.
Speak of the devil. Case in point in tonight’s game
“Cutch has been a negative drs center fielder the last couple years a believe.”
He does, as does Harper. Normally I’d never recommend it. But it seems like an almost necessary sacrifice to get Williams bat in the lineup.
Sky is blue grass is green and water is wet.
Oh, thought we were saying things that were obvious?
I’m fine with Altherr manning it for now, but by God he better be gone when all these fellas come back healthy. He’s had ample chances and has seen better days.
id take Cutch in center over Altherr if it means allowing Williams to start over Altherr.
Whew, looks like Cutch to CF, Williams/Altherr in LF and bring up Cozens again. Not a lot of options really… Hope Harper stays healthy or this season could go sideways pretty quick. The 40man roster is filled with young p’s and inf’s.
Moniak is NOT an option and Hasley needs more time….
Quinn is made of glass.
Glass groin
Here Ye, Here Ye. He’s a never healthy, never will be Ben Revere ye’. His health will always overshadow is ability. Time to start exploring other options for him and Altherr
Quinn lol
I wish the Tigers would go after both PHI Roman Quinn and HOU Myles Straw. I would love to see them at 1 and 2 in the order.