The latest on Harrison Bader’s status for Game 2
PHILADELPHIA — Harrison Bader is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, but he could appear in the game as a pinch hitter.
The outfielder is not running at 100%, manager Rob Thomson said pregame. He is still dealing with groin tightness that limits his ability to play defense. Bader on Saturday told Thomson that he believed he “wouldn’t have even gotten close” to the ball he made an incredible diving play on in the fifth inning of Game 1 if he felt the way he was feeling later in the game in that moment. Bader injured his groin running from first to second in the bottom half of the fifth.
Brandon Marsh is starting in center field in his place against the left-hander Blake Snell.
“He’s a guy that certainly wants to play,” Thomson said about Bader. “When I talked to him (on Sunday), he said, ‘I’ll do everything that I can to play, but I don’t want to hurt the team.'”
Bader will hit in the batting cages before the game. He typically does not shag fly balls outside during batting practice when he’s fully healthy, so it’s highly unlikely he’ll do that now — or any kind of running.
Is playing Bader in left field and moving Marsh to center an option in Games 3 and beyond? Maybe, but the Phillies prefer to have him at his natural position. Bader made 57 starts in left field as a member of the Minnesota Twins in 2025.
“If he can run, he’s going to be able to play center field,” Thomson said.
The team’s depth in center field is very thin without Bader. Max Kepler, who is not in the starting lineup, is the only other center field option on the postseason roster. He shagged fly balls in center field during batting practice on Monday. If Bader pinch hits for another outfielder during the game, Kepler will come into the game as a defensive replacement.
Johan Rojas (quad) is still not at 100%, per Thomson. He is not an option in the Division Series, but could be on the roster in the National League Championship Series if the Phillies advance.
The Phillies manager also isn’t sure if top outfield prospect Justin Crawford has been cleared from concussion protocol. He is not an option.
Imaging on Sunday did not reveal a major tear or strain for Bader. If Bader has to be replaced on the postseason roster, he would be ineligible for the NLCS.