We could have another center field competition on our hands

Manager Joe Girardi informed reporters Tuesday morning that Odúbel Herrera will undergo an MRI. The center fielder is dealing with an injury to his right side and could begin the season on the injured list. Herrera landed on the IL last year with left ankle tendinitis and also dealt with right Achilles soreness.

After the Phillies signed Herrera to a one-year, $1.75 million contract, it seemed like the plan was to go with a center field platoon that features Herrera and Matt Vierling. Now, it appears that Vierling has the chance to outright win the job and start against both lefties and righties. Girardi also indicated that Adam Haseley will get a look.

One player who won’t be considered, according to Girardi, is Mickey Moniak. Last spring, the Phillies were impressed with Moniak’s play and was a longshot to win the center field job, but after struggling in both the majors and minors last season, the 23-year-old has seemingly fallen out of favor in the organization.

Haseley, along with Roman Quinn, was one of the Phillies’ starting options in center to begin last season. After going 4-for-21 in nine games, Haseley left the team to deal with a personal matter. He was reinstated from the restricted list in June and spent the rest of the season in the minor leagues.

Scott Kingery is unlikely to get a serious look now since he’s technically still rehabbing his shoulder. Kingery, who is not on the 40-man roster, will have to prove to the team that his swing issues are completely behind him once he’s fully healthy.

Other Phillies News

• Kyle Schwarber will make his spring debut with the Phillies on Friday, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Nick Castellanos is expected to be formally introduced by the team on Wednesday.
• To make room for Schwarber on the roster, the Phillies placed left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel on the 60-day injured list on Monday. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Emanuel underwent a procedure in the offseason and was sore while throwing in camp.

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