Irvin begins to make case in spring opener
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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Cole Irvin arguably had the best season of any pitcher in the Phillies’ farm system in 2018.
He enters his second big league camp looking to position himself for a potential spot on the 40-man roster and an eventual call to the big leagues. He began to make his case Friday afternoon against the Rays in the Phillies’ Grapefruit League opener in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Irvin, 25, whom the Phillies selected in the fifth round of the 2016 Draft, worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
“Hopefully I can show a team that is probably going to win a lot of games this year that I can help out in any way,” Irvin said before the game.
Irvin knows that Aaron Nola, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin are close to locks to make the Phillies’ Opening Day rotation. Then the Phillies have starters like Jerad Eickhoff, Enyel De Los Santos and Ranger Suarez on the 40-man roster. But Irvin has been moving in the right direction. He went 14-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 26 appearances (25 starts) last season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
“We’ve got so many good arms and so many guys deserving to be in that rotation,” Irvin said. “Hopefully I can get some innings in early and get more comfortable at the end of camp, if I’m still here.”
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Odubel improves
Manager Gabe Kapler said outfielder Odubel Herrera feels better after suffering a “slight” strain of his left hamstring Wednesday. No MRI is scheduled.
Herrera took batting practice and long tossed Thursday. He could play as early as Sunday or Monday.
“I still feel like that’s a good possibility, but we’re going to take that day by day,” Kapler said.
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Jake deals
Arrieta pitched in a live batting practice session against Rhys Hoskins, Maikel Franco and others. Arrieta had minor left knee surgery last month, but he appears to be on schedule.
“Really crisp,” Kapler said about Arrieta’s session.
Arrieta worked with catcher Deivy Grullon, who has impressed the coaching staff in the first week of camp. Arrieta has been working closely with Grullon, too. That connection seems to be making Grullon comfortable.
“It’s kind of funny to see a catcher in his first Major League camp giving Jake Arrieta cues on mechanics from behind the plate,” Kapler said. “I actually laughed a couple of times. But that leadership and that guidance can come in a lot of forms. Jake’s focus right now seemingly is on his teammates.”
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Plouffe is back
The Phillies signed infielder Trevor Plouffe to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Plouffe, 32, had three hits and one home run in 12 at-bats last season with the Phillies. The Phillies signed him for a few reasons. One, non-roster invitee Gift Ngoepe is not in camp because of visa issues and non-roster invitee Sean Rodriguez has been slowed because of an injured right knee. Kapler said Rodriguez is “really coming along well.” The Phillies are optimistic he might not need surgery and might play in a game soon.
But the Phillies also want a little more depth at first base. Hoskins has been handling much of the drills the past few days at first base.