Philly Leader

Weston Wilson, who was a leading candidate for the Philadelphia Phillies' final bench spot, will be sidelined for six weeks due to a mild oblique strain. This development opens up the competition for the last bench position in the team.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed his disappointment over Wilson's injury, stating, "Wes Wilson's a great guy. Everybody loves him. He's a great teammate. It's very sad for all of us, including him, of course."

With Wilson out, Buddy Kennedy's chances to secure a spot have increased. The Phillies are looking for a right-handed bat to balance their left-heavy lineup. Kennedy is out of options and could be lost if he doesn't make the team.

Other contenders include infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens and outfielder Cal Stevenson from the 40-man roster. Both hit left-handed and present different challenges regarding roster options.

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

Kennedy has been working on his versatility by taking tips from Angels star Mike Trout during offseason workouts at Trout’s home in South Jersey.

“I asked him... 'You played left when you were younger in your career, what keys do you look for?'” Kennedy said about his sessions with Trout. “He gave me some different tips and drills to work on that carried into camp.”

Kennedy remains focused on improving his skills: “I've always wanted to be versatile... I'm just trying to take each day, each opportunity with grace.”