CHICAGO — Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh was removed from his fourth rehab game with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday due to cramping in his right hamstring, manager Rob Thomson confirmed.
Marsh, who struck out in both of his plate appearances and started in center field, was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning. The cramping occurred in the same hamstring he strained on April 16, which led to his placement on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 17).
Marsh will rejoin the Phillies in Philadelphia on Monday to be reevaluated.
During his rehab stint, Marsh batted .182 with six strikeouts in 11 at-bats, though he did manage three walks. Before the injury, he was hitting just .095 in 17 games with Philadelphia, striking out 16 times in 42 at-bats. His time in Triple-A was viewed as an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm at the plate away from major league pressure.
“I think it’s good for him, sure, because you could see the sawdust coming out of his hands as he’s at the plate,” Thomson said Friday. “He’s just trying to do too much. It’s a process, and it takes time.”
Despite the underwhelming numbers, Phillies coaches saw signs of improvement.
“Everything that people were talking about seemed to be positive,” Thomson said Sunday before the series finale against the Cubs. “I watched his at-bats yesterday. It looked like his timing is OK. [Hitting coach Kevin] Long seemed to like the swings and the timing and the balance.”
Marsh was eligible to be activated Sunday, but the Phillies were already considering extending his rehab stint. Now, the hamstring issue is expected to delay his return further.
“I’m not even sure if he’s going to continue [on this rehab assignment] at this point,” Thomson said. “We got to make sure it’s gone.”
Suárez Nearing Return to Phillies Rotation
Meanwhile, left-hander Ranger Suárez made his fourth rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The plan was for Suárez to throw about 80 pitches, and he finished with 78 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Suárez was pulled mid-inning due to his pitch count, not any injury concern.
“[If] he gets into a long at-bat, now either you have to take him out in the middle of an at-bat or he goes over his pitch count,” Thomson explained. “Better safe than sorry.”
Suárez began the season on the 15-day IL with lower back stiffness and has progressed carefully through his rehab. Though eligible to return on April 8, the Phillies have taken a cautious approach.
It remains unclear if Suárez will need another rehab start. Thomson mentioned the goal of building him up to 90–95 pitches before rejoining the big league rotation. Suárez will meet the team in Philadelphia this week, and a decision on his next steps is expected Monday or Tuesday.
Regardless of timing, the Phillies are eager to welcome back their 2024 All-Star.
“If he’s pitching like Ranger can pitch, and it looks like he has been, I think it’s great,” Thomson said. “I think when he’s good, he’s one of the best in the league.”
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