Williams frustrated by lack of playing time
PHILADELPHIA -- Perhaps Gabe Kapler's greatest challenge this season is finding enough playing time to keep everybody happy.
It already is proving to be difficult.
Phillies outfielder Nick Williams hit .288 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs and an .811 OPS in 343 plate appearances last season, but he has started just two of the team's first six games. He is 1-for-11 with four strikeouts. Williams could start Saturday's game on the bench with Marlins left-hander Dillon Peters scheduled to pitch.
"I guess the computers are making [the lineup], I don't know," Williams said following Thursday's 5-0 victory over the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. "I don't get any of it, but what can I do? I'm not going to complain about it because I have zero power. I'm just letting it ride."
Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera has been the team's best player the past three seasons. He was upset after not being in the lineup on Opening Day. He has started four of the team's six games.
"I don't want to say frustrating. It's just a hard game," Williams said. "I don't have any excuses, but it was tough facing [Noah] Syndergaard [on Wednesday in New York]. Coming in and facing a guy throwing 100 right away. That's kind of set up for failure. I'm just letting them do what they do. This is their job to do this. It's not mine. I don't have any say. I'm not a veteran."
Williams is one of the most relaxed, easy-going players in the Phillies' clubhouse. He always seems to be smiling. He did not speak angrily about not playing Thursday; he spoke matter-of-factly about it.
"I'm not used to a manager texting me, but he'll text me and say, like, you're not playing maybe starting today, or [the next two days], or three or four, five, six, whatever it is," he said.
Williams, who said the trade-off is more time to play video games at night, is not sure when he will play next. Aaron Altherr has started three games in right field this season. Scott Kingery started there Thursday.