Hector Neris Returns to Phillies Sooner Than Expected; Pat Neshek Close

The Phillies would like to have seen Hector Neris' remedial assignment to Triple A last a little longer, but …

Edubray Ramos was placed on the disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder Monday afternoon, so Neris is back just a week after being sent out to clear his head, build some confidence and rediscover command of his splitter.

Neris made just two appearances for Lehigh Valley. In two innings of work, he did not allow a hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Neris returns to the big leagues just in time for the Phillies' three-game series against the 50-win New York Yankees.

"He did have an opportunity to work with (pitching coach) Dave Lundquist down there, and Lundy reported some improvements in the delivery," manager Gabe Kapler said. "We watched his last outing. His fastball looked relatively sharp and his split was good, as well. Does that translate to a whole bunch of success at the major league level? We'll have to wait and see. But certainly, it's encouraging. Ideally, you have a chance to let these things play out, but given the fact that we're playing the Yankees, it's nice to have Hector back."

Neris had been sent down after recording a 6.00 ERA in his first 30 appearances. He gave up 31 hits, including eight homers, in that span.

Ramos last pitched in Sunday night's 8-6 loss at Washington. The Phillies blew a 6-2 lead in that game. Though much of the attention was placed on the Phillies' bullpen not getting the job done in the eighth inning, the Nationals' comeback started in the sixth with three runs, two of which were charged to Ramos.

Philadelphia Phillies

Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Phillies release Opening Day roster, place 5 players on IL

Phillies 2024 Opening Day postponed to Friday

"He just didn't feel 100 percent last night," Kapler said. "This is very much precautionary, keeping in mind that we want him healthy for the long haul. He actually said that he could pitch if we needed him to, but it didn't seem like the right thing to do for him."

The Phils are getting close to adding two relievers from the disabled list. Luis Garcia is close to being ready. He is on the DL with a sore wrist.

Pat Neshek, who pitched Saturday in Clearwater, will make another rehab outing Tuesday night with Double A Reading. He has not pitched this season because of shoulder and forearm injuries.

Neshek believes he is close to being ready, but he could not pinpoint a return date.

"It's going to be more about how my rhythm is, how my stamina is," the 37-year-old right-hander said. "I felt really good arm-wise but when you come in, you get into a routine and I need to get into that routine again. It might be one more, it might be a couple more, it might be four more.

"I had tears in my arm. It's a process. Before when I had tears in my shoulder, I ended up tearing that trying to rush and come back quick. I want to get back here as soon as I can."

Neshek believes he will help the Phillies' beleaguered bullpen. He figures to work as a setup man, but is open to any role.

"Plug and play, man," he said. "For me, it's never mattered to me what I do. I'll do whatever the manager needs me to do. I've always done that."

More on the Phillies

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us