Outfielder Quinn filling a mighty valuable role
PHILADELPHIA » Odubel Herrera didn’t start against a righty Saturday night, and the reason had everything to do with his replacement, manager Gabe Kapler said.
Kapler is eager to get a look at Roman Quinn, who started in center field and batted ninth Saturday against the Marlins. Quinn is 6-for-17 since being recalled in late July. He hit a two-run double in the eighth Friday to ice a Phillies win, then singled, stole second and scored on Cesar Hernandez’s home run in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 8-3 win.
“Quinny deserves an opportunity to play,” Kapler said. “We’re going to be leaning on Odubel heavily down the stretch. He’s got a lot of games where we’re going to be riding him into September and October. We need him fresh and healthy, but also we need Quinn to get a look.”
“It feels good,” Quinn said. “Gabe pretty much told me my role once I first got called up, and he just said, ‘be ready at all times.’ And I’m glad that I’m back up here and able to help the team any way that I can.”
Kapler spit-balled the possibility of Quinn starting Sunday’s series finale for Nick Williams against a lefty, but that was before Williams ripped a 3-run home run in the first inning.
Kapler continues to be awed by Quinn’s athleticism, wondering aloud if he’s the fastest player in the bigs. He also praised his preparation and mental resilience to contribute in a limited bench role and consistently supply a boost when he enters.
“He understands how fast he is and how gifted he is athletically,” Kapler said. “And I think from every facet of the game, from what he does at the plate to what he does on defense to what he does on the bases, we all see that athleticism.”
“I look all the time, and any time I can utilize my speed on the field, I’m going to do it,” Quinn said. “Whether that’s stealing a base, distracting a pitcher, doing what I do, I’m definitely going to do it.”
*** Jerad Eickhoff threw two perfect innings for Clearwater Saturday in his return from injury.
The right-hander has been out all season with a lat strain. He pitched twice in the minors in May but was shut down due to tingling in his fingers, which was seen as unrelated.
The 28-year-old had looked like a workhorse, making 57 starts the last two years. Where he fits into the current Phillies is uncertain, though he could return to provide insurance for the faltering Nick Pivetta.
That speculation, though, is more than Kapler wanted to indulge in yet.
“If Jerad comes back healthy and strong, we’re going to look for ways to get him out on the field in September,” he said. “If it happens faster than that, right now we’re in early August and you can see he’s progressing fast, and if it does and he’s performing well and he feels strong and there’s a way for us to incorporate him, we will.”
Pedro Florimon ran the bases Saturday and looked, “pretty awesome,” per Kapler. He’ll head to Florida on a rehab assignment when the Phillies hit the road this week. The utility man has played 33 games, on the shelf since late May with a broken bone in his foot.
JP Crawford played again at shortstop for the Threshers Saturday, his fourth straight day of action rehabbing from a fracture in his left hand. The plan was to give Crawford off Sunday then two straight starts before Kapler and company determine the next step. Crawford is 1-for-10 in his rehab with four RBIs.