Bryce Harper returns with new protection in the Phillies lineup

The Phillies will have Bryce Harper back in his familiar No. 3 spot in the lineup when they close the four-game series out with the Cincinnati Reds.

Harper, who has been out on Paternity leave, will have new protection behind him in the No. 4 hole with Alec Bohm moving up after going 4-4 with two RBI and a walk on Wednesday night and J.T. Realmuto sliding back a spot to No. 5.

For the season, Bohm is slashing .337.430/.558 with three home runs and 21 RBI.

The rest of the Phillies lineup is status quo, with Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott and John Rojas rounding out the bottom five spots in the order.

Castellanos continues to struggle, going 0-5 last night, dropping his season average to just .174 with no home runs and just one extra base hit.

The Phillies will send right-hander Zack Wheeler to the mound, who is making his sixth start of the year.  In his last start, he Wheeler took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but is just 1-3 on the season with a outstanding 2.30 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in five games.

Phillies News and Notes

Taijuan Walker is expected to make his season debut for the Phillies on Sunday with Spencer Turnbull heading back to the bullpen.  Turnbull has been outstanding, his 1.33 ERA is fourth among all pitchers in MLB.