Sep 10, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates his home run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
When the Phillies originally put out the lineup Wednesday afternoon, Kyle Schwarber was in his usual spot at the top of the lineup.
An hour later, he was scratched by manager Rob Thomson.
Schwarber felt a little pain in his left elbow during batting practice. This is the same elbow he hyperextended diving back into the first base bag on Tuesday.
Thomson said that the decision was his and that pulling Schwarber was precautionary. He added that he expected Schwarber to return to the lineup Friday against the New York Mets.
Change of plans- Kyle Schwarber OUT tonight against Rays after taking his pregame swings
“It’s better, but it still affected his swing a little bit.” -Rob Thomson pic.twitter.com/n6VLAAY72a
Weston Wilson was added to the lineup in place of Schwarber, but not as the DH, nor at the top of the lineup.
Bryson Stott was moved from the No. 5 hole to the leadoff spot. Bryce Harper was moved to the DH spot, Kody Clemens moved from third base to first base and Wilson slotted in at third.
Major League Baseball suspended Tampa Bay reliever Edwin Uceta for three games and Tampa manager Kevin Cash for one game after Tuesday's bench clearing hit by pitch of Nick Castelanos in the bottom of the eighth inning.
It was unclear prior to the game if Uceta would appeal his suspension.
Uceta hit Castellanos with what he called a "change up" although StatCast registered it as a 96.2 MPH sinker.
We broke it all down in a couple of ways. I had the reaction at the ballpark while the Maestro did a Zapruder-like breakdown of the incident.
Rob Thomson said catcher J.T. Realmuto is feeling better and will be back on Friday against the Mets. Realmuto will have missed five games with a left knee contusion suffered after he fouled a ball off his kneecap in Miami last week.
Garrett Stubbs and Aramis Garcia have filled in for him. Garcia is catching Zack Wheeler on Wednesday.
In other injury news, Alec Bohm is still feeling pain in his left hand when swinging a regulation bat. He can swing the short bat without pain, so he is progressing, and he wasn't expected to play during this homestand, but he is recovering slower than the Phillies expected.
Meanwhile, Carlos Estevez (left knee contusion) is available to pitch Wednesday. Thomson admitted that Estevez was not available Tuesday if the game made it to extra innings.
Several Philadelphia Flyers players were on hand to take batting practice and have their own internal home run derby.
Morgan Frost was the winner of the Derby.
But everyone turned out to be a winner because they got their own Flyers-themed bats from Victus.
Scott Laughton showed off his f"Gritty bat" or the camera.
Several Flyers were at the ballpark for Batting Practice today. Scott Laughton shows off his Gritty Victus bat. I’m told Morgan Frost won the home run derby. pic.twitter.com/u2mQyT78z5
