Phillies reinstate Zack Wheeler from the paternity list, send Scott Kingery to triple-A Lehigh Valley
With Kingery heading back to triple A, Matt Vierling will be the primary backup infielder while Johan Camargo and Nick Maton continue to nurse injuries.
The Phillies made a roster move before their game on Friday evening, reinstating starting pitcher Zack Wheeler from the paternity list and outrighting utility man Scott Kingery to triple-A Lehigh Valley. Wheeler will start Saturday at home against the Diamondbacks, and Matt Vierling, who has experience playing the corner infield positions, will serve as the team’s primary backup infielder while infielders Johan Camargo and Nick Maton continue to nurse injuries.
Vierling adds versatility, interim manager Rob Thomson said, adding that he can play “anywhere in the outfield or the corner infield spots. At second base, he looks pretty smooth out there. He’s an athlete. He moves around well; he’s got a lot of tools. He’s got a lot of value for us.”
Vierling was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, when he hit a pinch-hit home run off of reliever Josh Hader to give the Phillies a 3-2 win over the Brewers.
Maton is on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 4 with a right shoulder strain, and Camargo is on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday with a right knee strain. Thomson said that both infielders are making progress but aren’t ready to return yet. Maton did some throwing in the batting cages on Friday and “feels a little bit better.” Thomson said that Maton will throw again Saturday.
Emanuel, Sherriff start rehab assignments
Left-handed pitchers Kent Emanuel and Ryan Sherriff started their rehab assignments Thursday in Clearwater, Fla. Thomson said Emanuel, who was on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow impingement, went three innings and pitched “very well.” The Phillies are looking at Emanuel as someone who could provide rotation depth, since he has experience starting games.
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Sherriff, who will be used out of the bullpen, threw one inning and hit 93-94 mph on the radar gun. Thomson said right-handed reliever Sam Coonrod, who is on the 60-day injured list with right forearm tendinitis, has not been activated for a rehab assignment yet.