If the Phillies defer to Matt Strahm, he will be sitting in the bullpen March 27 in Washington, ready and waiting for the call to make an opening-day appearance against the Nationals. But it won’t be up to Strahm.

Strahm said he felt discomfort in his shoulder early in camp, but nothing seemed amiss until his velocity was down during his second spring outing. An MRI revealed both inflammation and a bone bruise in his throwing shoulder,

Strahm has inflammation in his throwing shoulder that will keep him out a few more days. But given his value in the bullpen, the Phillies likely will take a conservative approach to bringing him back.

Phillies left-hander Matt Strahm was shut down for close to a week due to soreness in his throwing shoulder, but restarted his throwing progression.