Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Pache Continues Injury Rehab at Triple-A

Cristian Pache could put the Philadelphia Phillies in position to make a decision about activating him as soon as next week.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Cristian Pache continued his rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Pache started the week with Class-A Clearwater, where he made three rehab starts for the Phillies. The plan was for him to make three starts at Clearwater and then move to Lehigh Valley to play in the final two games of the Iron Pigs’ series with the Rochester Red Wings.

On Saturday Pache played center field and batted second in the order behind Kody Clemens. Pache finished the game 1-for-5 with a strikeout. His hit came in the sixth inning, where he singled and was later stranded.

After Pache wraps up his weekend at Lehigh Valley, the Phillies will evaluate whether he’s ready to be activated. The Phillies have an off-day on Monday before a two-game series at Toronto starting on Tuesday, followed by a an off-day on Thursday and then a three-game set at Washington.

With Clearwater he went 3-for-11 with four walks, four runs scored and four strikeouts.

Pache’s return would be welcome, as the Phillies lost outfielder Brandon Marsh to a bruised left knee a week ago. Marsh is starting to take batting practice.

Pache has dealt with injuries all season. He tore his meniscus at the end of April and went on the injured list for six weeks before returning in mid-June. He played up until the All-Star break when the Phillies had to IL him against for right elbow irritation.

Pache had to have surgery to remove a loose screw causing that irritation. The screw was inserted in Pache’s elbow for a previous injury.

Pache is valued for his glove, but in just 53 plate appearances this season he’s slashed .327/.365/.592 with seven doubles, two home runs and eight RBI.

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