Both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber hit the I.L. for the Phillies – but avoid serious injury

That sound you just heard out your window was a collective sigh of relief for Phillies fans.

Although both Bryce Harper (left hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (left groin) were placed on the I.L. Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic was first to report that they avoided serious injury and could be back as soon as their I.L. stints are up.

While I’m sure more will emerge from Citizens Bank Park later today (I’m not down there because of the NHL Draft tonight), it wouldn’t surprise me if Schwarber is back before Harper.

The Phillies may take extra care with Harper because he plays the field on a regular basis, whereas Schwarber is usually the DH, and secondly, Harper’s injury just seemed to have a little more to it.

As such, holding Harper out through the All-Star game wouldn’t be a huge surprise, although Rob Thomson told reporters Friday there’s a good chance they both return before the break, and he compared Harper’s injury to Brandon Marsh, who only missed nine games (13 days total).

Rob Thomson gave some updates on Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber that were — all things considered — not so bad for the Phillies
Colin Newby | @ToNewbyginnings pic.twitter.com/78GPG169HT

— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) June 28, 2024

The Phillies replaced both with Kody Clemens and Johan Rojas. Clemens was activated off the injured list and Rojas was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

All of the fans who were clamoring for Rojas to be back, can now rejoice, although it’ll be interesting to see how these platoons play out.

The Phillies first lineup, against righty Kyle Tyler, is this:

1. Stott 2B
2. Turner SS
3. Bohm 3B
4. Marsh RF
5. Castellanos DH
6. Clemens 1B
7. Merrifield LF
8. Stubbs C
9. Rojas CF

I don’t think this is their go-to lineup against righties without Schwarber and Harper, though. First, Castellanos is going to play in the field on the regular. He’s just getting a blow as the DH for this game. Additionally, Tyler has only made one start so far this season after starting the year as a reliever, meaning they expect this to be more of a bullpen game, so keeping David Dahl on the bench gives them some flexibility with pinch hitting as the game progresses.

I would expect the only regulars in the lineup, regardless of pitchers, while Harper and Schwarber are out, to be Trea Turner, Alec Bohm and Castellanos. Bryson Stott will mostly start, although he’s been sitting more against lefties this year. Other than that, there’ll be a lot of mixing and matching with Marsh. Clemens and Dahl starting predominantly against righties and Cristian Pache exclusively against lefties, with Whit Merrifield, Edmundo Sosa and Rojas kind of a mix and match and the catchers continuing their 3-to-2 start mix.

With six lineup spots rotating, it’ll be a challenge for the Phillies offense, especially once they go on the road next week to Chicago and Atlanta.

But at the very least, it’s looking like it’ll only be short-term, and not multiple weeks, as everyone feared after Thursday night.

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