The Phillies finally got some positive injury news Friday just a couple of hours before their first game against the Washington Nationals.
Thanks to reporting by Alex Coffey, we have learned the status of several pitchers that are currently on the Injured List.
The first update and the biggest was new information on Zack Wheeler. The Phils’ ace has been down the past couple of weeks in an effort to get him healthy for the end of the season.
Philadelphia as a whole have struggled without Wheeler but his fill-in Bailey Falter has done a solid job of replacing Zack’s spot in the rotation. It appears that the Phillies ace is heading in the right direction and should hopefully see the mound soon.
Thomson said Zack Wheeler played catch today and got out to 120 feet. He said he felt “great” and did a flat ground, too. He will do a light bullpen tomorrow.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) September 9, 2022
The next update to come out of Citizens Bank Park this afternoon was an update on Seranthony Dominguez. Their closer is most likely the closest player to returning, as he completed a rehab assignment in Triple-A for the Iron Pigs on Thursday night.
Interim manager Rob Thomson reported that Dominguez was touching high 90s and even broke 100 in his appearance. There is anticipation that he will be back for game two of the Nationals series.
Thomson said Seranthony Domínguez hit 98-100 mph in Lehigh Valley last night. He’s playing catch there today; Thomson will talk to him after his workout. It’s possible he could be activated tomorrow.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) September 9, 2022
The Phillies starter was the final player to be addressed in the injury update. Zach Eflin has missed most of the season due to knee problems that prevented him from pitching in much of 2021.
RHP Zach Eflin will begin a rehab assignment tonight with Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 9, 2022
Zach has been out since just before the All-Star break and is part of the reason the Phillies traded for Noah Syndergaard. Eflin will be making a rehab start for the Iron Pigs on Friday night and is expected to pitch out of the bullpen once he returns to Philadelphia.
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