Hoskins sits with ankle sprain, should be OK

PHILADELPHIA -- The Big Fella should be OK.

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins suffered a sprained left ankle when he tried stealing second base in Monday night’s loss to the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. X-rays afterward were negative, but Hoskins had his ankle wrapped Tuesday and was not in the Phillies’ lineup against Mets left-hander Steven Matz.

Hoskins said he was available to pinch-hit on Tuesday and that he sees himself back in the lineup in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.

“It feels OK, just a little more swelling than I think was anticipated, based off the fact that I played the rest of the game and the tests I underwent,” Hoskins said. “Just some swelling that I’ve got to get out of there. Nothing too crazy.”

Hoskins was scheduled to see a team physician before Tuesday’s game.

“It’s just a matter of getting the swelling out tonight and seeing progress tomorrow,” Hoskins said. “I was able to do most everything today with little to no pain, so I’m pretty encouraged by that.”

Maikel Franco started at first base, with Scott Kingery at third base. Aaron Altherr started in center field, the first time this season Odubel Herrera has not been in the starting lineup. The Phillies had planned to start Kingery in center, but adjusted once Hoskins could not play.

Anything on Aaron?

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said “a lot of work was done” on Aaron Nola's performance Monday. Nola allowed five runs in four innings. He has a 7.45 ERA, the highest in baseball among qualified pitchers.

“They’ve decided that there may be some small mechanical adjustments to make,” Kapler said. “Ultimately, for Aaron, what’s missing right now is his ability to be in and stay in the strike zone. Subsequently, some of the pitch counts are a little bit higher. Subsequently, there’s more baserunners than he’s used to. I think that’s been the key for him thus far.”

Eickhoff recalled, Anderson optioned

The Phillies recalled right-hander Jerad Eickhoff from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and optioned right-hander Drew Anderson to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Anderson pitched two scoreless innings on Monday, but Eickhoff could give the Phillies multiple innings on Tuesday if needed. Eickhoff is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts with the IronPigs. He has struck out 10 and walked four in 10 innings.

Robertson update

Phillies right-hander David Robertson had an MRI exam on Tuesday and results showed he has a Grade 1 flexor strain. He will not throw for at least a few days.