Phillips' absence has only been magnified with the loss of shortstop Zack Cozart for the season, leaving a gap of inexperience in the middle of the infield.
Eugenio Suarez, 23, started at shortstop while two-year veteran Kristopher Negron started at second. Negron hasn't been a regular second baseman for Cincinnati, as Ivan De Jesus has seen more time at that position.
"These opportunities, where we have some injuries and some new guys up there, create opportunities for me to plug guys into different roles and see how they handle it," Reds manager Bryan Price said.