Author: Scott Lauber

If it’s the Fourth of July, then it’s trading season in baseball. And in the Independence Day spirit, general managers hold this truth to be self-evident: All trade deadlines aren’t created equal. Some years, you’re a buyer; others, you’re a seller. One season, pitching is the pressing need; the next, you’re looking under every rock […]

CHICAGO — Once the Phillies got settled this week in the tight quarters of the visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field, Rob Thomson called everyone together for a few announcements. He saved the best for last. Cristopher Sánchez was the National League’s pitcher of the month. “I mean,” Thomson said, “the place just erupted.” » READ […]

CHICAGO — One week after getting injured within two innings of each other, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are moving closer to returning to the Phillies’ lineup. How much closer? Let’s say the Athletics, if not the Dodgers, should get their left-handed pitchers ready for next week. Schwarber, bothered by a mild strain of his […]

CHICAGO — An hour after the left side of the Phillies’ infield got picked to start the All-Star Game for the National League, neither Trea Turner nor Alec Bohm was stationed on the left side of the Phillies’ infield. But they were perfectly easy to find. Turner contributed to two runs by sprinting harder and […]

CHICAGO — Taijuan Walker has resumed playing catch with his waning splitter, and the Phillies are encouraged by the early results. Walker, placed on the injured list June 23 with a blister inflammation of his right index finger, long-tossed and played catch in what manager Rob Thomson described as a “heavy day” before Wednesday night’s […]

CHICAGO — Last week, after the Phillies pocketed a win in Detroit, Bryce Harper answered a question with a question. “Has a team ever had all four [infielders] start [in the All-Star Game]?” Why yes, actually. Glad you asked, Bryce. » READ MORE: The Phillies might have the ‘baddest infield in the world.’ Will it […]

CHICAGO — Before the Phillies gave the ball to a 25-year-old with one major-league inning on his resumé for his first career start Tuesday night, the manager offered a morsel of advice. “Throw strikes,” Rob Thomson said, “because the stuff’s good enough.” Michael Mercado obliged. And then some. » READ MORE: Building the Perfect Phillies […]

CHICAGO — One day shy of three weeks since undergoing knee surgery, J.T. Realmuto took batting practice on the field with the Phillies. “He’s a quick healer,” manager Rob Thomson said before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. But while Bryce Harper (strained left hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain) remain on track to […]

CHICAGO — In three weeks, maybe everything will make more sense. Because three weeks from now, front offices will no longer be distracted by the draft. The All-Star Game will be over. Every team will have played at least 15, nearly 20 more games, so the separation between the contenders and also-rans — buyers and […]

After pitching six scoreless innings May 29 in San Francisco, Cristopher Sánchez was asked in English about being a part of “one of the best” rotations in baseball. “La mejor,” the lefty said in Spanish, and no translation was needed. One of the best? Sorry, try again. The Phillies, in Sánchez’s undeniably biased opinion, have […]