Rearranging the rotation?

Zack Wheeler tossed six low-stress innings on a mere 96 pitches in Thursday’s win, and that adds intrigue as to how the Phillies will handle next week’s series in Atlanta. They are scheduled to start Tyler Phillips, Wheeler and Aaron Nola. But, with Monday’s off day, the Phillies have a choice.

They could skip Phillips, the rookie righty who has struggled this month. Thomson was coy about it. When asked if Phillips will pitch the series opener Tuesday, the manager said: “As of right now, yeah.” But the Phillies are contemplating a change. Since his shutout against Cleveland, Phillips has allowed 17 runs on 20 hits in 11 innings. He’s been hit hard — especially early in outings. He surrendered three first-inning runs to Miami in his most recent start.

“It’s embarrassing to go out there,” Phillips said, “and have a first inning like that.”

“I think there’s a residual effect from the complete game that’s still going on,” Thomson said. “You’re seeing the ball up in the zone a little bit more. You don’t see quite as much sink. And that’s really his game. So, hopefully, we can get that back.”

They might want to set a better tone in a meaningful series against the Braves. Wheeler could pitch on regular (four days’) rest Tuesday with Nola behind him. The final game at Truist Park could go to Phillips or Cristopher Sánchez on regular rest.

There is a balance for the manager to strike.

“We got to check on Wheeler and Nola after (they pitch),” Thomson said. “Because the health of our rotation is of utmost importance.”

“It’s whatever they want,” Wheeler said. “I’m feeling good right now.”

The Phillies are still targeting a return next weekend for Ranger Suárez, who will throw another simulated game either Saturday or Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have exerted extreme caution with Suárez and have used a mild back injury as an extended pause to manage his workload. They are pleased with his progression.

Whether they go to a six-man rotation upon Suárez’s return depends on how they feel about Phillips and the other potential sixth starters. They could swap Phillips for Kolby Allard or Kyle Tyler, a righty claimed off waivers from Miami who had a decent Triple-A debut Thursday with the Phillies.

They could just stick with a five-man rotation and an eight-man bullpen.

“There’s a lot of options we’ve got,” Thomson said.

Turner’s legs

Trea Turner did not play Wednesday, then in the first inning Thursday, he sprinted from home to first in 4.18 seconds. His infield single started a four-run rally.

It was his eighth-fastest home-to-first time this season, as measured by MLB’s Statcast. Five of his best eight times came in April. There are times when he is not running like everyone expects. He missed almost two months with a hamstring injury earlier this season. His average home-to-first times have gotten slower every month from June to August. He has attempted one stolen base in the last three weeks.

“It’s weird,” Turner said. “It’s like a day-by-day thing. Some days I feel good. Some days I don’t. I think, you know, that’s the case with everybody. … It’s a long season, obviously, and I want to be healthy in the postseason. Sometimes it may not look like I’m running 110 percent. Sometimes it does. It’s just whatever it is that day. I felt good on the first sprint.”

Thomson, asked multiple times this week about Turner’s running, has insisted there is a mental barrier the shortstop must still clear.

“He’s healthy,” Thomson said. “It’s just a matter of him just turning it loose and having the confidence that nothing else is going to happen.”

Turner described it differently.

“More physical,” Turner said. “You get nicks and bruises and all sorts of stuff every day. All of us do. You get hit by a pitch. You take a swing. Certain things, you’re not always going to feel 100 percent. I want to play every day. Sometimes, as you get older, I feel like I’m not necessarily going to be reckless and crazy. Twenty-five-year-old Trea would sprint every time and whatnot.

“I want to play, and I have to pick my spots, especially with what happened early in the season. It’s a little bit mental, but I think it’s more physical. I don’t want it to look like I’m dogging it or not trying, or any of those things. That’s definitely not the case. Kind of evolving a little bit and getting older.”

Turner was happy about his swing; he collected three hits Thursday for the first time since July 9. But his running is something to monitor.

Update(8/18/2024):

The Phillies have optioned Tyler Phillips to AAA Leihigh Valley and called up Kyle Tyler.