The Phillies open an important three-game series (I know, every series is important) against the Nationals tonight in Washington.

Joe Girardi did his daily pregame meeting with reporters, so let’s run through everything you need to know following a rare off scheduled day off.

Injury Updates

Let’s start with reliever José Álvarez, who, of course, hasn’t pitched since, well, this:

As one could imagine, only five days removed from this square-on hit to the groin, Álvarez isn’t feeling anywhere near 100%.

This is a tough break for both Álvarez and the Phillies. The left-hander had been the team’s most effective reliever, posting a 1.42 ERA in eight appearances. If he does in fact need at least 10 more days to throw and another week or two to build up, it’s possible Álvarez won’t return until mid-September.


As for Jay Bruce, who the Phillies placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left quad back on Aug. 22, Girardi isn’t sure if one of his top power bats will be back when the stint is set to expire.

“I think that’s our hope, but I can’t tell you for sure that’s going to happen. Quads can be tricky, hamstrings can be tricky, but I think that’s our hope,” Girardi said.

Interestingly, baseball insider Jon Morosi suggested on MLB Network earlier today that the Phillies could be suitors for Arizona’s Starling Marté.

With a crowded outfield featuring Bruce, Andrew McCutchen, Roman Quinn, Adam Haseley, Bryce Harper, and now Scott Kingery, the fit for the 31-year-old Marté in Philly doesn’t add up.

He has a $12.5 million team option on the final year of his contract which expires in 2021, including a $2 million buyout. That contract, combined with more obvious concerns in the Phillies’ ever-evolving bullpen, makes for a seemingly unlikely match, but if Bruce misses extended time, perhaps the need becomes greater.

Marté is hitting .317 with an .842 OPS in 116 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks this season.

Andrew Knapp’s Rebound

I wrote yesterday about Andrew Knapp’s game-saving play that helped salvage the critical series finale against the Braves. Girardi says Knapp, who is slashing .450/.500/.600 this season in 11 games, has earned more at-bats.

Tonight’s Lineups

The Phillies will send Jake Arrieta to the mound opposite Erick Fedde. With Patrick Corbin and Max Scherzer looming over the next two days, this is a big one for the Phillies to get. Here are the starting lineups: