National League home run leader Kyle Schwarber was not in the starting lineup for Friday night’s game against the host New York Mets due to a right calf strain.
Schwarber sustained the injury Thursday during a 3-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. After drawing a walk in the fifth inning, he was replaced by pinch runner Brandon Marsh.
Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said he was unsure if Schwarber would be able to available to pinch-hit Friday.
“I always pride myself on trying to be out there every single day,” Schwarber told reporters. “For something like this to just come up out of nowhere really and act up, it’s definitely frustrating.”
Although his batting average is just .211, the 29-year-old Schwarber has smacked 34 homers (four more than other player in the National League) and was a member of the NL All-Star team last month for the second time in his career. He has 69 RBIs.
Rookie shortstop Bryson Stott was hitting in Schwarber’s leadoff spot for the opener against Mets right-hander Max Scherzer. Stott, 24, is batting .211 with seven homers and 37 RBIs in 81 games.
–Field Level Media