Calendar change bringing out best in Joseph
PHILADELPHIA >> Not more than a week ago, the professional status of Tommy Joseph was in widespread public question.
By Tuesday, he was among the hottest Phillies, bringing a .333 average over his previous seven games into a game against the Seattle Mariners in which he would hit a first-inning home run. So all that changed in a hurry. “I just started getting hits,” Joseph said. “You start hitting the ball hard and hopefully it finds holes. And it helps your confidence and gets you back on track. I’m just continuing to stick to the plan and make sure that I talk to my teammates about what the pitcher is trying to do.”
After finishing April with a .179 average, Joseph was up to .216 entering the Tuesday game. He has hit safely in six of eight May games.
“When it is that early, things like that get magnified,” said Joseph, who walked and scored in the fourth. “So I think I had a little bit to do with it, too.”
*** After missing two starts with a sore left wrist, Aaron Altherr was back in the lineup Tuesday in left, supplying a three-run, fourth-inning homer.
Altherr did pinch-hit in a 6-5 victory Sunday over the Washington Nationals, ripping a three-run home run.
“I was fine,” he said. “I was available to play the next day. But I think Pete (Mackanin) wanted to be cautious and sit me out for a little bit. But I was fine to play. I am OK now.”
Altherr has been among the Phillies’ hottest hitters, taking advantage of an opportunity as Howie Kendrick recovers from an oblique injury to hit .338 heading into play Tuesday.
Doesn’t that sound good enough for regular playing time, no matter who is healthy?
“Well, if I had to make that decision now, based on 60 at-bats, I’d say yes,” Mackanin said. “But as far as down the road, for me he needs to sustain what he’s doing now. I see no reason why he won’t with the shorter swing he’s come up with.
“Once Kendrick gets back, I don’t know what he’ll do. But in that scenario, because Altherr plays all three outfield positions well, I can find plenty of time for him.”
*** Aaron Nola, who has not pitched since April 20 due to a strained lower back and who remains on the disabled list, will have a rehab start Wednesday in Lehigh Valley, when the IronPigs entertain Rochester at 7:05. He will be limited to 60 pitches and be evaluated Thursday. He is expected to require a second rehab start of about 80 pitches before being reactivated. *** Jeanmar Gomez reported an “impingement” in his right elbow and has landed on the disabled list retroactive to May 6.
“He said he felt it when he threw in Chicago, and I kind of laughed, I said, ‘Well, that’s the best velocity you’ve had in a while,’” Mackanin said. “He said, ‘Yeah.’ It felt OK because it was warm that day, I guess. And then he started feeling it afterward. So he’s been unable to pitch, or doesn’t want to, or he is concerned. So we’re going to get him looked at.”
The Phillies recalled Ty Kelly to take Gomez’s roster spot.
*** NOTES >> For cash, the Phils acquired veteran right-handed relief pitcher Casey Fien, 33, from Seattle, and assigned him to Lehigh Valley. He had appeared in six games for the Mariners, allowing 10 earned runs, good for a 15.00 ERA … Jerad Eickhoff offered little in his 3.2 inning start Tuesday, allowing five runs and wasting a 4-0 lead … Zach Eflin (0-0, 2.42 ERA) and Seattle right-hander Yovani Gallardo (1-3, 4.46) will pitch Wednesday afternoon at 1:05.