Phillies' Mick Abel returns to majors for start vs. Jays

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Mick Abel has given himself a tough act to follow for his second career major league start Wednesday night against the host Toronto Blue Jays.

The 23-year-old matched the franchise record for strikeouts in a major league debut with nine over six innings on May 18 to earn the win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He threw six shutout innings, allowing five hits and no walks, but was returned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after the start.

"He keeps throwing the ball like that, I guarantee you he's going to be back," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said at the time.

It did not take long. With Taijuan Walker moving to the bullpen, Abel is scheduled to get another chance on Wednesday in Toronto. Originally, he was due to pitch on Thursday against the Blue Jays, but the rotation was adjusted with Zack Wheeler going on paternity leave.

Abel (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is expected to oppose right-hander Jose Berrios (2-2, 3.86).

Berrios is 1-2 with a 7.47 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies. His ERA is skewed by the eight runs he allowed in 3 2/3 innings during an outing against the Phillies on May 7, 2024.

Philadelphia will try to clinch the three-game series after taking the opener 8-3 on Tuesday.

Trea Turner hit two home runs and Bryce Harper added a long ball to help the Phillies end a four-game losing skid and to snap the Blue Jays' five-game winning streak.

Harper was back in the lineup after missing five games because of a bruised right elbow, and the Phillies went 1-4 in his absence. In addition to the homer on Tuesday, Harper also walked twice and scored two runs.

"We know he's there, they know he's there," Thomson said. "He makes our lineup so much better."

Harper got hurt when he was hit by a pitch from the Atlanta Braves' Spencer Strider on May 27. Pitchers try to go inside on him, and while Harper sported a right elbow guard while batting in Toronto, he does not intend to change his approach.

"I am not going to back off the plate," Harper said. "I've always kind of been on top of the plate.

"I totally understand throwing inside. It's part of the game. I get it. It's just a little scarier nowadays, just because guys throw a little bit harder. So there's a little bit of give and take with that, right? Wearing a brace, wearing an arm guard, that helps a little bit."

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm also made his presence felt on Tuesday with four hits and a spectacular play on George Springer's sharp grounder in the third. Bohm dove, snared the ball, then threw a two-hopper from his knees and still got Springer at first.

Toronto's Addison Barger will carry a four-game home run streak into Wednesday. He hit a two-run blast in the eighth inning on Tuesday.

"He is talented, and I think he's comfortable with how he's approaching each at-bat," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "We've seen the tools for a couple years, and this is a pretty good run that he's on."

Davis Schneider also homered for Toronto in a two-hit game.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished 0-for-3, but his third-inning walk extended his on-base streak to 33 games.

Toronto activated second baseman Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) and catcher Tyler Heineman (concussion) from the injured list. Infielder Michael Stefanic and catcher Ali Sanchez were designated for assignment.

Gimenez got the start and went 0-for-3 with a walk.