Kyle Schwarber scratched from Phillies lineup with elbow soreness; expected back Friday

The Phillies anticipate Schwarber and injured catcher J.T. Realmuto to be back for the Mets series opener.

The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber hits a leadoff home run against the Rays on Tuesday.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

Published Sept. 11, 2024, 4:21 p.m. ET

When the Phillies posted their lineup at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Kyle Schwarber was batting in his familiar spot atop the order.

Not so fast.

Schwarber reported improvement in his bruised and hyperextended left elbow, but not enough to play against the Rays at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies scratched Schwarber but anticipate him — and banged-up catcher J.T. Realmuto — to return Friday night against the Mets.

“It’s better,” manager Rob Thomson said of Schwarber’s elbow, “but it’s still affecting his swing a little.”

Schwarber was injured when he dove back to first base to beat a pickoff throw by Rays catcher Logan Driscoll in the third inning of Tuesday night’s 9-4 victory over the Rays. He said he didn’t feel pain at the outset but had difficulty when he swung a bat and exited the game in the fourth inning.

“There’s nothing structurally wrong,” Schwarber said. “So, pretty much it’s, if I can stand it, then, play.”

Realmuto was set to miss his fifth game in a row Wednesday night after fouling a ball off his left knee Friday in Miami.