Darick Hall to bat cleanup in first MLB start

The Phillies are confident new call up Darick Hall can handle the No. 4 spot at the big league level. It’s why he’s batting cleanup in his first big league start. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, he’s the first Phillie to bat fourth in his first big league appearance since LeGrant Scott in 1939. Scott went 0-for-2 with two walks in a 7-6 Phillies loss against the Boston Bees.

Interim manager Rob Thomson explained the lineup decision before Wednesday’s game.

“He’s kind of a middle-of-the-order bat and I think he’s got the mindset that it’s not going to upset him too much,” Thomson said. “He’s very grounded. Plus, it breaks up our lefties a little bit.”

Hall’s family will fly up from Arizona at some point this week. After more than 2,200 career plate appearances in the minor leagues, Hall is finally getting his long-awaited chance.

“It’s everything that you could ever want,” Hall said. “It makes everything that you’ve done to this point really worth it.”

Thomson said Hall will DH and get some reps at first base when Hoskins needs a full day off or a break from the field. The Phillies manager also said he is willing to have him hit against lefties. Seventeen of Hall’s 20 home runs in the minor leagues this season came against right-handed pitching.

“Depends on the lefty,” Thomson said.

Notes

• Bryce Harper underwent successful surgery on his broken left thumb on Wednesday morning. Harper is expected to offer more specifics on his injury at some point this week.
• Johan Camargo experienced a flare-up with his right knee. He was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday’s game. Camargo spent two weeks on the injured list from June 7-21 with a knee strain.
• Connor Brogdon (COVID-19 IL) is still in quarantine back in San Diego. Thomson told reporters he tested positive for COVID-19.
• Jeurys Familia has not pitched in a game since June 21 against the Texas Rangers. He surrendered two home runs in a 7-0 Phillies loss. Thomson said they are working on some mechanical issues behind the scenes. “I need to get him out there pretty quick,” Thomson said. “It’s been seven days now since he’s seen a hitter. Guys need to see hitters to stay sharp.”

Here are the lineups for game two of a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves.

Braves

1. Dansby Swanson, shortstop
2. Travis d’Arnaud, designated hitter
3. Matt Olson, first base
4. Austin Riley, third base
5. Marcell Ozuna, left field
6. William Contreras, catcher
7. Adam Duvall, right field
8. Phil Gosselin, second base
9. Michael Harris II, center field

Phillies

1. Kyle Schwarber, left field
2. Rhys Hoskins, first base
3. Nick Castellanos, right field
4. Darick Hall, designated hitter
5. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
6. Didi Gregorius, shortstop
7. Alec Bohm, third base
8. Bryson Stott, second base
9. Mickey Moniak, center field

The Press of Atlantic City’s Mike McGarry contributed to this report.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. Phillies 2022 Walk-Up Songs
2. For Mark Appel, ‘All Of This Is Gravy’
3. Nightengale: Talent Evaluators Predict Trea Turner To Sign With Phillies This Offseason
4. Bryce Harper Reveals What He Texted Blake Snell After Being Hit
5. 4 Lefty Relievers The Phillies Could Target At The Trade Deadline
6. IronPigs Could Leave Lehigh Valley Without Stadium Upgrades, Per GM
7. Before His Walk-Off, Rhys Hoskins And His Wife Jayme ‘Went Yard’ For MDA
8. Jean Segura: ‘I Would Love To Finish My Career In Philadelphia’
9. MLB Draft Analyst Keith Law Mocks Kumar Rocker To The Phillies
10. Bryce Harper On Trea Turner: ‘I’m Excited To See Where He Goes Next Year’