CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies lost their second pitcher in four days as they learned Tuesday that Mark Leiter Jr. will be sidelined until late April or early May because of a mild flexor strain he suffered during his last outing.
Leiter will open the season on the disabled list with Jerad Eickhoff, who is expected to be out until early May with a strained muscle in his back. Leiter was expected to be one of the team’s eight relief pitchers, working as a long reliever. That role will likely be filled by Drew Hutchison or Jake Thompson, who is transitioning this spring to the bullpen.