Minor-league week in review: Didi Gregorius continues rebab assignment in Lehigh Valley

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius resumed his rehab assignment in the latest week of the minor-league season.

He played three more games for the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs as he recovers from pseudogout in his right elbow.

Even with some major-league help, Lehigh Valley lost four of six games against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, dropping to 21-27 on the season; the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils split with the Binghamton Mets to bring their record to 18-30; the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws also won three against the Brooklyn Cyclones to sit at 20-27; the High-A Clearwater Threshers won four of six games against the Daytona Tortugas to improve to 25-23.

Didi Plays Three for IronPigs

Gregorius played his first rehab game in two weeks on Thursday, going 2-for-2 with a double, a walk and a run scored. He took a day off Friday, returning on Saturday to hit a single in two at-bats with one walk. Gregorius started again Sunday, going hitless in two at-bats while walking and scoring a run.

The 31-year-old played five innings in the first two games before reaching seven innings in Sunday’s game. That development could mean he’s getting closer to getting back into the Phillies lineup for the first time since May 12. In five total rehab games, Gregorius is 6-for-10 with two doubles, a home run and four walks.

Reading Gets No-Hit as Morales Posts Best Start

Binghamton’s Josh Walker and Andrew Mitchell combined to no-hit the Fightins in a 2-0 Mets victory on Tuesday. The duo outdueled Reading starter Francisco Morales in his best Double-A outing.

Walker pitched six hitless innings, but was removed after injuring himself while batting. Mitchell took the last two in relief, shutting down the Fightins lineup and leading to a Binghamton celebration in the infield. Reading only reached base twice, as Morales drew a walk and Rodolfo Durán reached on an error.

Morales had an impressive game on the mound himself, recording nine strikeouts over five innings and surrendering just one run on a home run, before allowing five runs, just one earned, in 4 2/3 innings his next outing on Sunday.

Gowdy Unhittable Over Six for BlueClaws

2016 second rounder Kevin Gowdy looked as sharp as ever on Thursday in Brooklyn. The right-hander tossed six innings without allowing a hit in a 3-0 Jersey Shore win.

The 23-year-old struck out five hitters and walked just two. He threw 78 pitches, his highest total of the season.

Gowdy, who’s dealt with injury issues throughout his career, looks healthy and is succeeding in High-A. He has a 3.58 ERA in nine outings this season.

Abel Cruises Through Five for Threshers

Continuing the hitless trend, 2020 first rounder Mick Abel had his own unhittable performance on Saturday. He threw five innings without allowing a hit in a 5-2 win over Daytona.

Abel struck out eight Tortugas and walked just one, and his fastball reached 97 mph. He threw 65 pitches, 46 for strikes in his best start as a professional.

The 19-year-old now has a 4.11 ERA in 10 starts, while striking out 13.5 batters per nine innings.

Farm Notes

• The Florida Complex League, formerly the Gulf Coast League, began play on Monday. The Phillies have one team in the rookie-level league. Standouts on the roster include 2019 third rounder Jamari Baylor, 19-year-old catcher Chris Burke, 2019 11th rounder Marcus Lee Sang and veteran minor leaguer Grenny Cumana.
• Reliever (neck) Brandon Kintzler made a rehab appearance in Lehigh Valley on Friday, throwing a scoreless inning.
• Former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel made his first Triple-A start since 2017 on Friday. The right-hander threw five scoreless innings, giving up two walks and two hits and striking out four.
• 2020 third rounder Casey Martin was promoted to High-A last week, but struggled in his first six games as a BlueClaw. The infielder went 4-for-24, but did hit two doubles and a homer.
• Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski saw two affiliates play at their home ballparks this past week. He saw Reading play on Thursday and Sunday, and was in attendance in Lehigh Valley on Friday.

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