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The first big injury of Phillies camp will shake up the battle for the final bench spot.
Weston Wilson will miss about six weeks with a moderate oblique strain, manager Rob Thomson told reporters on Saturday in Lakeland. Thomson said on Friday that Wilson “felt a grab” while hitting in the batting cages.
Wilson was a strong candidate to win the final bench spot for the Phillies. With the Phillies offense leaning left-handed, Wilson could have made the team as a right-handed option with positional flexibility. He will begin the regular season on the injured list.
Edmundo Sosa, who is once again taking some fly balls in the outfield, is a lock to make the team. One of Garrett Stubbs or Rafael Marchan will be the backup catcher. Another spot could go to Johan Rojas. He has minor league options remaining, but the Phillies are likely to keep him up with the major league club as a defensive replacement and occasional starter in center field.
The last spot could be a battle between Buddy Kennedy and Kody Clemens, two players who are out of options and cannot be sent to the minor leagues without clearing waivers. The Phillies could also look to be active in the free agent and trade market near the end of camp when veterans on minor league deals begin opting out of their contracts.
The right-handed hitting Kennedy may have an edge over the lefty Clemens. Both are in the lineup for Sunday’s Grapefruit League home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Kennedy, who is playing in back-to-back games, will start at second base. Clemens gets the start at first base as Wilson’s replacement.
Kennedy homered in the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Tigers in Lakeland.