CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Phillies took another hit in the pitching department Monday when they learned that veteran reliever Tommy Hunter would be unable to open the regular season Thursday in Atlanta because of a mild hamstring strain.
Manager Gabe Kapler described it as a “Grade 1” strain in a text message following the Phillies’ 6-3 exhibition win against the Pittsburgh Pirates down in Bradenton, Fla.
“We do not have long-term concerns,” Kapler said. “We’re playing this conservatively. We don’t have a timetable … at this moment.”
The Phillies signed Hunter, 31, to a two-year, $18 million deal during the offseason in an effort to add veteran experience to their bullpen.