Categories: Phillies Beat with Destiny Lugardo

Kyle Schwarber expects to be back for next homestand

Kyle Schwarber is on the injured list. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

The Phillies have missed Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain), but he’s expected to make a quick recovery and return to the lineup as soon as the first game of the next home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning July 9.

Schwarber told a group of reporters in the Phillies clubhouse Sunday morning that he’s feeling better after straining his groin in Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins. Manager Rob Thomson said he could begin jogging and swinging the bat today.

Schwarber said he hopes to be back as soon as the 10-day minimum stint is up.

“Do I feel like I could probably be ready before the 10 days? Absolutely,” Schwarber said, “But I think it’s also making sure that we’re all going to be healthy, make sure that’s all completely resolved before we get back on the field and go from there. It definitely could have been a lot worse, but definitely happy with the news.”

Schwarber suffered the injury in the top of the eighth inning of Thursday’s 7-4 loss against the Marlins. He ran in to back up a ground ball with the infield in that skipped past the shortstop Edmundo Sosa. The injury occurred as Schwarber threw the ball back to second base. He was not in the on-deck circle during the bottom of the eighth and was replaced by Brandon Marsh in left field in the ninth.

Schwarber initially thought the injury was just a cramp, but he’s thankful the training staff pulled him early to prevent a more severe strain.

“I gave [the trainer] credit,” Schwarber said. “He understood where it was and he recognized there was an injury there that could have possibly been worse if I go back out on the field or if I go hit and have to really get after it and make it a lot worse. Lucky that it was not major and it’s just going to be the minimum and go from there.”

Schwarber will miss the upcoming three-game series against his former team the Chicago Cubs and the rival Atlanta Braves. Without Schwarber, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, runs have been harder to come by. They have scored only four over the last two games, have one hit with runners in scoring position and have left 12 men on base.

But once the next homestand begins against the team with the second-best record in the National League, Schwarber should be back in the leadoff spot.