The Phillies have had a mostly healthy spring, aside from Aidan Miller dealing with lower back soreness and Gabriel Rincones Jr. managing lingering knee issues—neither of whom was expected to make the Opening Day roster.
Zack Wheeler has been progressing in his rehab from September thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, having thrown several bullpen sessions successfully.
Brandon Marsh missed roughly a week in late February due to hand inflammation from sliding practice but has since returned to action.
Orion Kerkering has been sidelined with a hamstring injury but is on track to possibly pitch in a Grapefruit League game next week.
However, two new injuries emerged. Right-handed reliever Max Lazar is experiencing issues in his oblique/abdominal area, and minor-league first baseman Keaton Anthony fractured a bone after fouling a ball off his right foot. Manager Rob Thomson told reporters, including MLB.com and the Philadelphia Inquirer, that Anthony is expected to undergo surgery later this week.
Lazar’s status
Lazar had participated in the World Baseball Classic with Israel but was expected to return to Phillies camp soon after his team’s elimination. In his lone WBC appearance, he retired the only two hitters he faced, both left-handed.
At 26, Lazar is one of about a dozen relievers competing for two open spots in Philadelphia’s bullpen. Thomson noted Lazar is the one he’s observed most, having made 47 appearances over the past two seasons for the Phillies.
Even if Lazar’s injury is minor, the Phillies will likely take a cautious approach, as there’s no rush to have him ready for Opening Day, whether at Triple-A Lehigh Valley or in Philadelphia. Other right-handed relievers available for the final bullpen spot include Zach Pop (out of options), Zach McCambley (Rule 5 pick), Chase Shugart, Seth Johnson, Nolan Hoffman, and veterans Lou Trivino and Trevor Richards. Lazar had not clearly distinguished himself from this group even when healthy.
Anthony to miss time
Anthony, ranked as the Phillies’ No. 30 prospect by MLB Pipeline last week, has struggled this spring, going 0-for-16 after batting .330 last season at Double-A and .313 at Triple-A. The 24-year-old has a career minor-league average of .324 across 199 games, though without much power.
While Anthony has played exclusively at first base in the minors, he appeared in a left-field game this spring. With first base blocked, the Phillies were exploring other options.
Anthony was expected to start the season at Triple-A with the IronPigs but will now miss part of the first half. This could give more early opportunities to right-handed hitting corner infielder/outfielder Felix Reyes, who signed with the Phillies as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic in February 2020.
The 24-year-old Reyes won the Eastern League batting title and MVP last season with Double-A Reading, hitting .335. He has continued to perform well in big-league camp, going 6-for-19 (.316) with a double, homer, and six RBI.