Odubel Herrera is out of the Phillies' lineup a day after being double-switched out of Tuesday's game as a punishment.
Herrera was mocked by players in the Astros' dugout after flipping the bat on a flyout to the warning track, and he later did not run out a dropped third strike. Herrera has flipped the bat for far less, and it's not uncommon for a player to not bust it to first on a dropped third strike, but manager Pete Mackanin clearly felt it was time to send Herrera a message.
With Herrera out, Aaron Altherr is in center field and batting fifth in his first game back from the DL. Daniel Nava (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to July 23.
Herrera has hit .331 since June 3 with a MLB-leading 20 doubles but Mackanin on Tuesday said that he, too, is in a developmental phase — one that involves mental adjustments more so than physical adjustments.
Here's the Phillies' lineup against Astros right-hander Mike Fiers:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Nick Williams, RF
4. Howie Kendrick, LF
5. Aaron Altherr, CF
6. Maikel Franco, 3B
7. Tommy Joseph, 1B
8. Cameron Rupp, C
9. Aaron Nola, P
For more on the matchup, check out tonight's game notes.