Girardi provides injury updates for Álvarez, Kingery and Quinn

There are quite a few names on the injured list for the Phillies heading into the seven-game series against the Miami Marlins.

The most prominent of those is left-handed reliever José Álvarez, who was injured after taking a 105.3-mph line-drive straight to the groin against the Blue Jays on Aug. 20.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, it appears unlikely that Álvarez will make another appearance in the regular season. He’s currently doing some light throwing and jogging, but he’s “a ways away.”

“I don’t think any of us are planning on having him for the regular season. We’ll try to get him back for after that,” Girardi said about Álvarez in his pregame media availability Thursday.

In eight appearance out of the pen in 2020, Álvarez has allowed only one earned run. He was the Phillies’ best left-handed relief option in 2019 and that carried into 2020. His extended absence is a big blow to the Phillies bullpen, who still find themselves short on reliable pitchers. Thankfully for the team, rookie JoJo Romero has done an excellent job at pitching in spots where the ball would usually go to Álvarez.

LHP Adam Morgan is also working his way back from a nagging injury. He was placed on the IL with left-shoulder fatigue on Sept. 1 (retroactive Aug. 31). Morgan pitched in an intrasquad game on Sept. 7.

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Scott Kingery was eligible to come off the injured list just in time for Thursday’s opener, but that won’t be happening. However, he is making progress in his return from a back injury.

According to Girardi, Kingery is progressing well and is looking to get him some at-bats. He spent Wednesday’s off-day hitting in the cage as well as running and throwing.

Roman Quinn, who is currently on the seven-day concussion IL, did not travel with the team as he is currently in Lehigh Valley. He did some running outside on Wednesday.

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Both Quinn and Kingery could return during the Marlins series. It’ll depend on how the next couple days go for both players.

“Those two guys can help a lot in this grind,” Girardi said.

Quinn is not eligible to return from the injured list until Sept. 13.

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Girardi also revealed what his rotation will look like for the next few days.

• Thursday: Jake Arrieta
• Friday: Aaron Nola/Spencer Howard
• Saturday: Zack Wheeler
• Sunday: Vince Velasquez/TBD

Girardi did not specify which game of the doubleheader Velasquez will be starting on Sunday.

“We might bullpen Sunday and throw Zach [Eflin] Monday,” Girardi said.

The Phillies will also carry a two-man taxi squad. Right-hander Ramón Rosso and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger have made the trip to Miami. Both are candidates to be the team’s 29th man for either of the two doubleheader games in the series.

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