Yankees 4, Phillies 2: Chase Anderson adds to rotation case

Chase Anderson joined the Phillies this offseason on a major-league deal, but he said his contract did not give him any comfort that a rotation spot was guaranteed.

“I came in here like ‘I have to win this spot,’” Anderson said after pitching three scoreless innings Monday in a 4-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Yankees. “What brings out the best in most guys, and especially for myself, is competition.”

Anderson allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out four against a lineup full of Yankees regulars. He has yet to allow a run this spring in seven innings and seems to have a hold of one of the final spots in the rotation. The right-hander threw all four of his pitches Monday and displayed an effective change-up.

Joe Girardi has not yet named the winners of the rotation competition, but Anderson and Matt Moore have done enough this spring to earn roles after signing major-league deals.

“The best year of my career was in 2017 with Milwaukee and I came into spring training having to earn a spot,” Anderson said. “I pitched well in spring training and that transitioned into the season and I had a really good year. For me, to have that confidence going into spring training that I have to fight for a spot and have the success so far and continuing to stay within myself, keep my feet on the group, have a humble attitude, and just continue to work. I think that’s going to bode well for me in the future and for this team.”

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Rhys Hoskins homered for the first time this spring as he drove a full-count sinker 412 feet to center field. The Phillies were cautious with Hoskins early in camp, but he’s since been medically cleared for all activity after offseason elbow surgery. He started Monday at first base and appears ready for the season.

Héctor Rondón walked the first two batters he faced and failed to finish the seventh inning as he followed up Saturday’s impressive outing with a dud. Rondón , a veteran reliever on a minor-league deal, was pulled after allowing a two-run, two-out single to Giancarlo Stanton. He threw 23 pitches, his fastball was at an average of 93.5 mph, and seems to be on the outside of the team’s eight-man bullpen picture.

“I don’t think his arm strength has been there,” Girardi said. “We expected him to be 96-97 and he hasn’t been there. I think that affects him. We’ll continue to watch him and hopefully it gets there and we can get him throwing the ball better than he has.”

Roman Quinn doubled in the second off Domingo German as every at-bat carries weight in the competition for the centerfield job. Quinn went 1 for 3 with a lineout and a flyout, which can be considered a success as Girardi has challenged his centerfielder’s to simply make contact.

» READ MORE: Breaking down Phillies roster spots for center field, bullpen, and bench | Scott Lauber

Scott Kingery and Odúbel Herrera both went 0 for 3 with a strikeout as the centerfield competition continues to be lackluster. Herrera homered on Sunday but could not add to his case. Kingery’s 11 strikeouts this spring lead the Phillies. Mickey Moniak replaced Herrera in the sixth and grounded out.

José Alvardo continued to pump triple-digit fastballs Monday, but he also flicked a devastating curveball to freeze Gleyber Torres. The full-count breaking ball was just 84.8 mph and came a pitch after Alvardo touched 100 mph.

“You have to gear up to hit him and if you don’t gear up to him you’re not going to catch up,” Girardi said. “If you throw a 3-2 curveball like that, that’s not really fair. That’s really tough on a hitter. The key is that you have to be able to throw it for strikes, but he showed that he could do that.:

Aaron Nola will start Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla. against the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.