CLEARWATER, Fla.The Phillies are hoping that their banged-up infield did not suffer another setback Saturday.
Third baseman Placido Polanco left Saturdays game against Toronto to have his left fourth finger evaluated. Polanco jammed the finger diving into first base on a pickoff attempt.
Polanco, 36, missed time last season with a bad back and a double groin tear that was surgically repaired in the off-season.
The Phillies infield is already missing first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley. Howard is recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon and an infection that developed in the area of the incision. Utley, who has chronic knee tendinitis, has not played this spring. Earlier in the week, utility man Michael Martinez had been sidelined for a few days with an elbow contusion. He replaced Polanco on Saturday.
Phillies officials have been concerned about their infield depth. Baseball sources tell CSNPhilly.com that they have been looking to acquire infield help in a trade.
More on Polancos condition as it becomes available.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com