Skip to main content

When the Philadelphia Phillies' offense scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth against the New York Mets on Monday night to take a one-run lead, Brad Hand started to warm up in the bullpen, not closer Corey Knebel.

Given the fact that it was a save situation and he had not pitched on Sunday, Knebel's absence from the bullpen seemed unusual. In his postgame press conference, Phillies Manager Joe Girardi clarified that Knebel has been suffering from an illness.

"He has some flu-like symptoms... flu-like symptoms, I don't want to alarm anyone," Girardi said.

The Phillies skipper did not provide any comment regarding Knebel's availability for the rest of the series against the Mets.

Girardi isn't short of replacements for Knebel; Hand, Jeurys Familia, and Seranthony Domínguez all have experience closing out games.

In his first two appearances this season, Knebel has recorded one save and three strikeouts across two innings pitched, both appearances coming in the opening series against the Oakland Athletics.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

  1. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
  2. Phillies Top-10 Prospects Heading Into the 2022 MLB Season
  3. 18-Year-Old Phillies Prospect is Making History
  4. How did Philadelphia end up with Citizens Bank Park?
  5. How the Phillie Phanatic Came to be America's Favorite Sports Mascot
  6. This Unlikely Draft Pick Could be the Final Piece in the Phillies Next Blockbuster Trade
  7. "The Family Was More Nervous Than Him," Stott’s Relatives on Debut
  8. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup
  9. Why Did the Phillies Forget About These Top Prospects?
  10. Castellanos Shows He's Ready to Play in Philadelphia

Make sure to follow Inside the Phillies on Facebook and Twitter!