Why the Phillies’ Didi Gregorius believes his kidney condition may have prolonged his absence with elbow injury

Didi Gregorius raised his left arm to the computer screen. Through a long-sleeve shirt, even through the limits of Zoom, his elbow looked swollen, a souvenir from getting hit by a pitch -- on April 3.

Gregorius has a kidney condition, diagnosed 10 years ago, that he said makes it more difficult to flush out swelling. And after landing on his right elbow while chasing a pop fly in left field last week, the Phillies shortstop missed three games before returning to the lineup Friday night in Colorado.

“When I have inflammations they don’t go away,” Gregorius said. “That’s one of the things that I’ve been dealing with since whenever. If I get hit by a pitch, it stays swollen for like a week or two. It sometimes takes longer on me than a regular person. That’s why we were going day-by-day about it.”

Something else happened while Gregorius was out. The Phillies placed three players -- pitchers José Alvarado and Matt Moore and utility infielder Ronald Torreyes -- and five coaches on the injured list for COVID-related reasons.

None of the players is likely to return until next week, according to manager Joe Girardi. Hitting coach Joe Dillon and bullpen coach Dave Lundquist rejoined the team in Colorado, but first-base coach Paco Figueroa, third-base coach Dusty Wathan, and coaching assistant Bobby Meacham are still away.

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Gregorius, who wears a mask on the field during games, is considered “high risk” because of the kidney ailment. He said the Phillies were “on alert” this week to minimize exposure to the virus.

“I’m always wearing the mask, but you never know what can happen,” Gregorius said. “Everybody knew what was going on here in the clubhouse, so I think everyone’s trying to do the best that they can to try to not get it and pass it on.”

In Gregorius’ absence, rookie infielder Nick Maton got called up from the Lehigh Valley alternate site and went 5-for-12 with an RBI double in three games against the San Francisco Giants. He also displayed excellent range at shortstop.

Maton now figures to see playing time at second base with Jean Segura on the injured list with a strained right quadriceps. He started at second against the Rockies after Brad Miller was scratched with a stiff neck.

“I’ve seen [Maton] in spring last year and this year, so it’s nothing new for me. I know what the guy’s capable of,” Gregorius said. “When one of us goes down and he comes up, that’s the best guy you can have for the spot right here. It’s really important for us as a team.”

In 2007, a year before they hired Girardi as manager, the New York Yankees outlined the “Joba Rules” to guide their usage of Joba Chamberlain as he went from being a starter in the minor leagues to a reliever in the majors.

The Phillies will have similar restrictions for Spencer Howard.

“In the beginning, I would probably be more apt to give him a little more time between his outings because it’s not something that he’s used to,” Girardi said. “I’ll be cognizant that he’s a starter and that’s what his body’s used to. I think you have to adjust to that. I think there is a little different set of rules.”

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Howard’s role in the bullpen is less clear. Girardi used him to get out of a jam in the seventh inning of a tie game Wednesday, then left him in to pitch the eighth. Howard struck out the side, perhaps earning another look in a high-leverage situation.

“His role is kind of a jack-of-all-trades, I guess is the best way to put it,” Girardi said. “I really like the way he threw the ball the other day.”

It’s also possible Howard returns to Lehigh Valley when Alvarado comes back from the COVID list and Archie Bradley eventually returns from a strained muscle in his side.

The Phillies’ taxi squad in Colorado consists of right-handers Ramón Rosso and J.D. Hammer, catcher Rafael Marchan, infielder Luke Williams, and outfielder Matt Vierling. ... Aaron Nola is scheduled to start Saturday night against Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela.

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