Phillies Injury Updates: Seranthony Dominguez, Pat Neshek

Seranthony Dominguez has missed a majority of the 2019 season. (Ian D’Andrea)

The Philadelphia Phillies (74-69) have dealt with their fair share of injuries, especially to pitchers, during the 2019 season. Prior to Opening Day, the Phils bullpen looked to boast strong, durable relief arms in Tommy Hunter, Pat Neshek, David Robertson to add to homegrown talents that included Hector Neris, Adam Morgan and Seranthony Dominguez. Neris is the only one of those pitchers that hasn’t been dealt a season-ending injury.

Meanwhile, Dominguez is still clinging to a small chance for a return at the tail end of 2019. If not a return, at least another positive step forward. Sidelined since early June with a UCL injury, it was feared that Dominguez may have to undergo Tommy John Surgery. The 24-year-old had a positive appointment with Phillies team doctor, Michael Cicotti, recently and was cleared to resume his throwing program.

Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reported that Dominguez would throw at 90 feet on Wednesday and is set to throw a bullpen session on September 20. The Phillies would have 10 games remaining after that date if all goes well and Dominguez is given an opportunity to pitch prior to the end of the season. The second-year hurler put together an impressive rookie campaign in 2019, posting a 2.95 ERA and 2.85 FIP in 58 innings. His 2019 season got off to a rough start as Dominguez allowed 11 earned runs in 24.2 innings. He surrendered three homers during this span after giving up just four home runs during the entire 2019 season.

In addition to Dominguez, Salisbury provided an update on veteran reliever Pat Neshek. The 39-year-old hasn’t pitched since June 19 after tearing his hamstring against the Washington Nationals. Neshek is having surgery today to repair the injury. After posting a 1.12 ERA with the Phillies in 2017, Neshek has battled injury since returning to Philadelphia on a two-year, $16.25 million contract. The Phillies dealt Neshek to Colorado in 2017 before re-signing him to the deal that offseason. A right shoulder strain caused him to miss all of April and May 2018 and the majority of June. This season, he went on the injured list on May 25 with another right shoulder strain before tearing his hamstring following a brief return in June. In 18 innings, Neshek went 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA.