Wilson (oblique) injury opens up race for Phils' final bench spot

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Weston Wilson entered camp as the frontrunner to be the fourth and final man on the Phillies’ bench.

But Wilson sustained a mild oblique strain on Friday and will miss the next six weeks.

It shakes up the competition for the final bench job, with infielder Edmundo Sosa, outfielder Johan Rojas and one of catchers Rafael Marchan or Garrett Stubbs expected to take the first three spots.

“Wes Wilson's a great guy,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Saturday’s 7-6 loss to Detroit in a Grapefruit League game at Publix Field. “Everybody loves him. He's a great teammate. It's very sad for all of us, including him, of course."

Buddy Kennedy’s odds to make the team have improved. The Phillies prefer a right-handed bat for the final job because their lineup is so heavily left-handed. Kennedy is out of options, which will be a factor since they could lose him if he doesn't make the team.

The only other candidates on the 40-man roster are infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens, who is out of options, and outfielder Cal Stevenson, who has an option. Thomson would like two infielders on his bench -- but both Clemens and Stevenson hit left-handed.

“Buddy comes into play a little bit more now,” Thomson said. “If [Edmundo] Sosa can play the outfield, maybe it's a left-handed bat. I think we've got some options still."

The Phils could also look outside the organization for help.

Kennedy went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs and one walk on Saturday against the Tigers. He started at first base.

But Kennedy will have to prove his versatility to make the team, including playing the outfield. He has played only second or third base in the big leagues, although he has played 11 games in the outfield in the Minors.

Knowing that, Kennedy had been getting tips from Angels star Mike Trout, a fellow alum of Millville Senior High School in Millville, N.J. They work out together at Trout’s home in South Jersey in the offseason.

“I asked him, obviously he's a center fielder, 'You played left when you were younger in your career, what keys do you look for?'” Kennedy said. “He gave me some different tips and drills to work on that carried into camp. Just trying to perfect them and do everything I can to be in the best position when a fly ball comes my way.”

Those workouts began every weekday at 5:15 a.m, which meant Kennedy got up at 4:15 a.m. to make the 30-minute drive to Trout’s home.

“We’d be grinding for about two and a half hours, and then I'd go home and sleep til 12 and go play golf at 1,” Kennedy said. “It was good, it was fun.”

And perhaps it pays off.

“I've always wanted to be versatile, in any way,” Kennedy said. “I'm just trying to take each day, each opportunity with grace, try to give it my all, be perfect as best as I can and try to be the best outfielder I can. … I've had two big league camps now. ... I'm really just trying to have fun and play baseball, just like travel ball. Trying to not put too much pressure on myself, try to enjoy it, have fun.”