ATLANTA — Bryce Harper continues to make progress throwing however is unlikely to play first base earlier than the All-Star break, Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned previous to Friday’s sport in opposition to the Braves.

Harper has been throwing out to 90 ft and can ultimately graduate to 120 ft, however the Phillies are being cautious. Throwing is the ultimate piece of his rehab from Tommy John surgical procedure, and together with his bat already within the lineup within the designated hitter spot, the Phillies do not need to rush him again to the sphere and threat re-aggravation.

Covey to begin Sunday

Dylan Covey will make his first begin as a Phillie on Sunday Evening Baseball in opposition to the Braves, reverse MLB strikeout chief Spencer Strider.

No stress.

Covey pitched very properly in his Phillies debut Tuesday, permitting one run to the Diamondbacks over 5 innings with six strikeouts. Covey’s lone run scored instantly as he was greeted with a single and a triple, however he held the D-backs in examine from there.

He threw 91 pitches in that outing and is constructed as much as attain or exceed 100.

Covey has appeared in simply two video games this season — one with the Phillies and one with the Dodgers earlier within the month. Altogether, he is given up three runs over 9 innings with 9 strikeouts and two walks.

Phillies declare an outfielder

The Phillies claimed outfielder Cal Stevenson off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and optioned him to Triple A. 

Rule 5 pitcher Noah Track (low again pressure) was transferred to the 60-day injured record to make room on the 40-man roster for the 26-year-old Stevenson.

“Velocity man, extra of a defender,” Thomson mentioned. “He is hit within the minor leagues, not within the majors. Walks greater than he strikes out. He is bounced round fairly a bit, so groups like him, it is only a matter of roster administration and he is DFA’d or traded.”

Stevenson appeared in 23 video games with the Athletics final season and went 10-for-60 (.167) with three doubles. He was 0-for-9 with three walks in six video games with the Giants.

Corridor might want to earn his approach again

Darick Corridor might start a rehab task early subsequent week and is eligible to return from the 60-day IL on June 5, however he might want to hit his approach again to the spot he opened the season with.

The Phillies used Corridor as a primary baseman in opposition to right-handed pitching within the season’s first week and first base is the one spot for him now with Harper DH’ing day by day. 

“He is acquired to go down and carry out first and ensure he is wholesome and construct innings,” Thomson mentioned. “I do know he comes off the 60-day on June 5, however he is acquired some video games he must get below his belt.”

Kody Clemens, one other left-handed hitter, has began 11 of the Phillies’ final 28 video games at first base and produced in these begins, hitting .316 with 4 homers, two doubles and 10 RBI.

“He is swung the bat properly, performed stable protection,” Thomson mentioned. “The second’s not too large for him.”