Categories: Phillies Beat with Destiny Lugardo

Corey Knebel out for season, Seranthony Domínguez placed on the IL

Corey Knebel was placed on the 60-day injured list on Sunday. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)

Corey Knebel has a tear in his shoulder capsule, ending his season. Seranthony Domínguez is also going on the 15-day injured list with triceps soreness, according to Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson.

The Phillies also added right hander Tyler Cyr to the roster. Knebel was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Cyr on the 40-man roster. Domínguez was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 18) to make room for Cyr on the active roster.

Knebel, who is also dealing with the lat injury that took him out of the game last Sunday against New York, is heading to Texas to receive stem cell treatment to avoid surgery on his shoulder.

The Phillies are hopeful that Domínguez’s injured list stint won’t be long. He’s eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 2 against the San Francisco Giants.

“He’s coming off surgery and I said it all year, we’ve got to be careful with him,” Thomson said on Domínguez. “This is just a precaution, really. Just to take the ball out of his hands — literally — and give him some rest.

“In the back of my mind, I think I always thought there was going to be a time where we just give him some time just to breath a little bit.”

Thomson added that Domínguez was available to pitch Friday and that the injury wasn’t an issue that necessarily stemmed directly from his last outing Wednesday against Cincinnati. He allowed a run in the Phillies’ 1-0 loss to the Reds.

For Knebel, it’s a disappointing development for the 30-year-old who is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. His injury history is extensive. A torn lat kept him out for three months last season. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2019.

“It’s really disappointing for us because he was a big part of that bullpen, even though he was pitching in low-leverage situations,” Thomson said. “Just his presence out there and the pro that he is and how he took care of the younger guys. He was really good.”

In the meantime, the Phillies will have to rely on a combination of David Robertson, José Alvarado, Brad Hand, Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti in spots Domínguez typically occupied.

The Phillies’ decision to trade for Robertson, arguably the best rental reliever available on the market, looks even better now than it did three weeks ago.

Phillies Notes

Bryce Harper (left thumb fracture) will hit in the cages on Sunday. He’ll hit on the field again Monday. Thomson acknowledged that his rehab assignment could begin as early as Tuesday in Lehigh Valley. “I’m going to be very smart with it and come back when I see fit and when my hand is feeling better and I can help this team everyday,” Harper said.
Kyle Schwarber is expected to remain at DH on Monday. He’ll do agility work and the Phillies will reevaluate.
Thomson was asked about Griff McGarry, the Phillies’ No. 3 prospect, as a possible contributor this year amid all of the injuries in the bullpen. McGarry, 23, made his first start for Double-A Reading on Friday. “I can’t say no because he’s got such a great arm, but his name hasn’t come up,” Thomson said.

Here are the lineups for Sunday’s series finale against the New York Mets.

Mets