We name him our captain: Bryce Harper reacts to Reese Hoskins’ knee harm

CLEARWATER, FL — Bryce Harper was sitting within the Phillies dugout when teammate, Rhys Hoskins, tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He hoped the harm wasn’t as dangerous because it appeared, and texted Hoskins after the sport to make certain.

“He referred to as me two hours later and informed me what occurred,” Harper mentioned Saturday. “We informed him we love him. If he wants something, we’re right here for him. Completely superb.”

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Hoskins was out and in of the Phillies membership on Saturday afternoons. Harper expects to be the Phillies’ first baseman across the staff as usually as he can. Hoskins will get a second opinion on his left knee quickly, nevertheless it’s attainable he’ll bear an ACL reconstruction that can sideline him for the season.

“He’s a type of guys,” Harper mentioned. “All of us name him our captain. All of us name him Mr. Feely for a purpose. He’s the person. Anytime anyone has a query, we go to him. Any time the media desires to speak, we go to him. He’s been our captain right here for so long as he’s been right here. Since I’ve been right here He’s our man.

“He’s an important teammate, an important individual. He’s the most effective gamers I’ve been round.”

Learn extra: Rhys Hoskins tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Right here’s what it’s essential to know concerning the Phillies’ beginning linebacker harm.

An replace on Harper’s rehabilitation

Harper, who had Tommy John surgical procedure in November, was at Schmidt Subject within the Phillies’ Carpenter Advanced on Saturday morning, fielding floor balls with outfield coach Bobby Dickerson and first base coach Paco Figueroa. Harper has been standing behind first base, inflicting some to invest whether or not or not he’ll get court docket time this season, however his coaches say that’s not the plan.

“They simply get the gauntlet work, the gauntlet width, the gauntlet work,” Dickerson mentioned. “It’s been some time since he’s been getting caught on the bottom and stuff, so he’s attempting to work on some approach, so when he begins throwing once more he’s somewhat bit forward.”

Harper arrived in Clearwater on March 9 and has labored out coaching with Figueroa ever since. The 2 labored daily off mitts, base runs, and floor balls.

Harper’s subsequent step can be to work on his angles on the court docket; Drop the steps, shoot flying balls and dwell engines. However for now, Figueroa doesn’t know when that can occur.

“He seems to be nice, he’s excited, he’s again on his ft once more,” mentioned Figueroa. “If I’ve had accidents earlier than, it’s laborious, as a result of he sees his teammates prepping for the season. His presence alone is big for us. He’s a man I inform everybody – I’m fortunate as a result of he likes to work. He’s very laborious at his job. He’s chasing after it.”

Harper mentioned his work on the sphere—and his throwing and hitting program—is decided by the Phillies’ teaching workers, led by athletic coach Paul Bouchet.

“It simply will depend on what Paul thinks,” Harper mentioned. “As a lot because it pushes me ahead, it additionally pulls me again. So, I simply actually attempt to hearken to it and hearken to the medical doctors, Dr. [Neal] Atrash, to verify we’re all on the identical web page. They know what’s greatest for me so I simply attempt to observe that as a lot as attainable.”

Replace goalkeeper Suarez

Phillies left fielder Ranger Suarez hasn’t come off the mound since March 8, when he felt tenderness in his left forearm whereas pitching for Venezuela within the World Baseball Traditional. He had a bullpen session scheduled on Wednesday that was scratched by a sore left elbow, however performed on Friday and Saturday.

Suarez mentioned it went effectively. He felt a slight tightness in his arm, however “nothing dangerous.” He’s not positive when his subsequent session will happen.

additional guidelines

Simply hours after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski introduced that contract negotiations with Aaron Nola had been paused, Nola took the mound at BayCare Ballpark in his final Grapefruit League begin in spring coaching. It didn’t go effectively. Nola allowed seven runs (5 earned runs) over 1 and a pair of/3 innings towards the Yankees, with one stroll, within the Phillies’ last 8-3 loss to the Yankees on Saturday. … Proper fielder Nick Castellanos hit a house run off Yankees pitcher (and former Philly) James Norwood within the backside of the sixth inning. This was Castellanos’ third dwelling run of the spring. … Garrett Stubbs, who left the WBC early with a proper knee harm, is scheduled to make a journey to Sarasota, Florida, on Sunday to tackle the Orioles. He says he feels prepared for opening day. “I took a couple of backhands after which bought into at this time’s recreation, behind the plate,” he mentioned. “Every thing was nice.” … Supervisor Rob Thompson mentioned the Phillies plan to announce their Opening Day lineup on Monday.

Learn extra: Phillies press pause on Aaron Nola’s contract extension talks, for now