Two members of the Phillies’ starting pitching rotation stepped forward Monday.
And Bryce Harper did his best Mike Schmidt impersonation.
First, the pitching stuff.
Aaron Nola took the mound for the first time in an in-squad game as he stayed on the road to potentially start the season a week after Friday.
And Zach Eflin, who had been delayed for several days with back spasms, was able to launch a bullpen session without a problem.
“He threw a beautiful feather,” said pitching coach Bryan Price. “There were no limitations. He threw it great, aggressive.”
Manager Joe Girardi said Eflin’s order was “great”.
Eflin is expected to rank fourth in the Phillies’ rotation, but he could move back one spot if he needs an extra day.
Nola, Zack Wheeler and Jake Arrieta will precede Eflin in the rotation. Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta are fighting for last place in the rotation. One of them will end up in a bullpen that could have 11 men out the door.
The rosters will increase from 26 to 30 men during the first two weeks of the season. There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team can carry.
Nola faced 14 batters and struck out one in three unstructured innings of work. He faced additional hitters in the first two innings to make his pitch count. He retired eight of the first nine batters he faced and allowed two hits and two walks in his third inning off the job.
“Aaron pitched well,” said Girardi. “He lost his command a little bit in that third inning, but that’s probably normal fatigue in the end on his first outing. I feel good about where Aaron is.”
Nola threw 47 pitches. You should hit about 65 on your next outing and that would put you on target to start opening night. Girardi has not officially named Nola as his opening night starter because he wants to see how the next week of practice unfolds. But Girardi acknowledged that Nola could be the opener on opening night if everything continues to go well.
Nola might still be a little behind in her work. He missed the first few days of training because he had come into contact with someone who had been infected with COVID-19. Although Nola was not infected, the protocol required that she stay away from the team for several days.
Several coaches and staff members were commissioned as defenders during the intra-squad game.
Harper got some time, six defensive outs, at third base.
Girardi acknowledged there was a risk of putting the $ 330 million man, usually a right fielder, about 90 feet from the hitter.
“I think it is important for the boys to have fun,” Girardi said. “I saw him a week ago taking dirt balls there and he impressed me. His hands worked well up front and he threw the ball well onto the field. I said, ‘You look good there.
Girardi said Harper had been pestering him to play third in an in-escalation game.
Finally, Girardi relented.
“Okay. One entry,” said the manager. “But don’t dive. And make sure your arm is loose.”
Harper got a ball on the field, a gorilla to his left. He moved his feet very well, spread it out cleanly, and threw a punch through the diamond for the third out.
Then he pulled Mike Schmidt off the field.
It wasn’t really surprising that Harper handled himself well in third. He was a catcher in college and had played third before. He moved to the garden on pro ball.
The Phils play another in-school game on Tuesday night. Wheeler and Velásquez will pitch four innings each.
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