Odubel Herrera is fitting right in. Since being recalled from baseball purgatory, he's hitless in eight at-bats with two strikeouts. Mickey Moniak, who got shipped out to make room for Herrera, got all of 25 at-bats to prove his worth. He got three hits and walked three times. Roman Quinn, who is still on the roster for some reason, has two hits in 32 at-bats. And Adam Haseley is still on the restricted list, having left the team for personal reasons.
Is the plan to let Herrera stay out there until he starts hitting? Or is he the next warm body holding a place until Scott Kingery finds his stroke or Dave Dombrowski makes a trade? If Herrera goes hitless today, his welcome should be even warmer than expected when gets back to CBP on Friday night.
Speaking of second chances, Vince Velasquez got another start last night, the 101st of his Phillies career. It took him 74 pitches to get 13 outs. After the Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the second, hit promptly gave it back by allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning. His ERA is an ugly 6.57. Why do they keep giving him chances? They know what he is. Would Spencer Howard or Ranger Suarez or any other starter on the 40-man roster be that much of a drop-off in talent from the great Velasquez?
At least today is Nola Day, and the first-place Phils have a shot of going above .500. I don't expect Bryce Harper to be in the starting lineup today after getting hit in the face with a 97-mph fastball, even though he says he's OK. Didi Gregorius got drilled in the ribs with the very next pitch and he could be out of the lineup as well. I sincerely hope Aaron Nola drills someone on the Cardinals today.
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