March 8, 2021 2:21 PM : Herrera has emerged as the frontrunner to open the season as the Phillies' top center fielder after Adam Haseley was diagnosed Sunday with a left adductor strain that will likely sideline him for 3-to-4 weeks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Herrera previously served as the Phillies' primary center fielder from 2015 through 2018, but his career has been sidetracked since he was arrested in May 2019 on a domestic violence charge. Though the charge was eventually dropped, the 29-year-old was suspended for the rest of the 2019 season following his arrest before he was designated for assignment last winter. While he still doesn't possess a spot on the 40-man roster, Herrera has apparently worked his way back into the Phillies' good graces with a strong showing in winter ball followed by quality two-way play thus far in spring training. With Haseley likely to begin the season on the injured list, Herrera's top threats for the center-field job appear to be Scott Kingery and Roman Quinn, both of whom he's outperformed through the first week in camp. With a respectable.276/.333/.423 career slash line to go with a blend of power and speed, Herrera could be a name worth considering in the end game in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.