Notes: Schwarber making friends; bullpen up in the air

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Kyle Schwarber is learning about his teammates, and his new teammates are learning about him.

They seem to be getting along just fine.

It helps that they have something in common: hitting. Schwarber homered in the third inning in Monday’s 7-1 victory over the Orioles in a Grapefruit League game at BayCare Ballpark. It followed Nick Castellanos’ homer in the first. Their two long balls followed a pair of homers from Bryce Harper and a homer from Didi Gregorius on Sunday, as well as homers by Rhys Hoskins and Gregorius on Saturday. Each of those players is projected to be in a lineup that could be one of the best in baseball in 2022.

“We all know what we’re here for and that’s to win,” Schwarber said. “We’re going to get to know each other, but as we get to know each other we’re going to know how we all kind of tick, and what gets us going. That’s going to be a good thing.”

They have been together for less than a week, but a common sight most mornings in the Phillies' clubhouse is Harper, Castellanos, Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto and others chatting in the corner where their lockers are located.

Castellanos showed his lighter side on Monday when he crept up behind reporters to listen to Schwarber answer a few questions.

“The guy brings passion, fire and he brings barrels, which is a good thing,” Schwarber said about Castellanos.

“This is a layup interview,” Castellanos said.

“I’m pumping him up,” Schwarber said.

Schwarber said he can feel the buzz and excitement from Phillies fans. They love the potential of this lineup. It could be a good one.

“It’s a deep lineup,” Schwarber said. “It’s a pretty special team when you look at the group of individuals in here and you see what they’ve done in the past. Once we all get up to Philadelphia for Game 1, it’s game on. I don’t want to throw out any bold predictions, but it’s going to be a fun year.”

Coonrod will miss Opening Day; Alvarado might, too.

Right-hander Sam Coonrod will open the season on the injured list, following an MRI exam on Friday that revealed a strain in his right shoulder. It leaves the Phillies searching for a replacement in the bullpen with Opening Day just 11 days away.

Meanwhile, left-hander José Alvarado still has not pitched in a game this spring. He is behind schedule because of a neck issue. Phillies manager Joe Girardi said he is concerned about Alvarado’s chances to make the Opening Day roster.

Coonrod recently received a cortisone injection, which he hopes will speed along the healing process. He could throw within the next five to seven days.

“The concern level?” Coonrod said. “I think the injury is under control, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s just really frustrating because you put in all the work in the offseason. I did everything I could to be ready. I threw a lot of bullpens. I saw the delay [to Spring Training] coming. So I prepared literally the best I could.”

MLB is expected to expand the roster from 26 to 28 players at least the first few weeks of the season, following a condensed Spring Training and concerns about keeping pitchers healthy.

Girardi said the Phillies will use those two extra spots on pitchers, and he said the team will carry three multi-inning pitchers to support their starters, including Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez, who have not pitched in Grapefruit League games. Bailey Falter, Nick Nelson and Cristopher Sánchez could take those three spots.

Other relievers in camp on the 40-man roster that could take Coonrod's spot are left-handers Damon Jones and Ryan Sherriff.

“They're in the mix,” Girardi said. “Especially with some of the people getting nicked up.”

Left-hander Braeden Ogle is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He has allowed two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one. The Phillies acquired Ogle last summer in a trade with the Pirates.

“He's been really good,” Girardi said. “I've been impressed. He's throwing a lot of strikes. He made an adjustment where he moved on the rubber. It seemed it really helped him. His breaking ball is very good. He's throwing the ball as well as really almost anyone in camp.”