Late win salvages another early exit by Spencer Howard

PHILADELPHIA » This time, there would be no limitations.

This time, there would be no concessions to youth, or injury history, or rest.

This time, Joe Girardi said the other day, Spencer Howard would be on his own, expected to provide length and production in a Monday start against the Washington Nationals.

Yet with that as the mission, Howard lasted only 3.2 innings into a game that ultimately would end in an Andrew McCutchen three-run walkoff homer and a 6-5 Phillies triumph over the Washington Nationals. Howard had left early due to a complicated blister on his pitching hand.

Long recognized as the Phillies’ signature pitching prospect, the 24-yearold right-hander has appeared in 11 games this season, but never for more than four innings. In none of his six starts as a rookie in 2020 did Howard pitch into the sixth inning.

With the Phillies desperate for starting pitching and likely to buy some before the Friday trade deadline, they need to know if Howard is durable enough to remain in that mix. But on full rest and without a mandate to pace himself Monday night, Howard allowed six hits and four earned runs, while striking out just two.

“It was a callous over a blister,” Girardi said. “He had a callous ripped off. So we don’t think that he will have a problem with his next start.”

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Ever in search of bullpen help, there remains a sliver of a chance of the Phils finding some from within before the end of the season.

Seranthony Dominguez, who has not pitched since June 2019 after a semi-impressive 80-game start to his career, is about to increase his activity as he attempts to return after Tommy John surgery.

“I feel really good right now,” he said. “I know it’s a long process. I’ve been doing my best to get back.”

As a rookie in 2018, Dominguez threw 98 mph fastballs. His velocity is at around 93 mph ... and improving.

“I hope it gets better the more I throw,” he said.

While it is unlikely the right-hander can return this season, Girardi is not dismissing the idea.

Dominguez will throw some simulated innings Tuesday.

“I think it’s possible we could get him back,” the manager said. “He’ll throw tomorrow. He’ll throw an inning, get three outs, then go back out. We won’t extend him too far. It takes a while. But we could see him in a rehab assignment.”

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Zach Eflin, who has not pitched since July 16, continues a slow return from a knee injury … emphasis on slow.

“He’s not quite where we need him to be,” reported Girardi. “He did a bullpen session yesterday but it’s still not where we think it should be, so we will continue to keep going, see if we can get another bullpen in and see if it gets better.”

Pressed, Girardi did report that Eflin is making progress.

“Oh, I think it’s better,” he said. “But it’s not where we need it to be.”