Phillies Hunter rested for 2-weeks over injury

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Tommy Hunter has been shut down for two weeks after suffering a strained flexor muscle in his pitching arm, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters on Tuesday. Hunter won't throw a baseball until he is re-evaluated. How that exam goes will likely determine whether Hunter will be ready for the start of the regular season.

The 32-year-old Hunter is a key bullpen member as he enters the final season of a two-year, $18 million deal. Hunter pitched in 65 games last season and went 5-4 with a 3.80 ERA and struck out 51 against 15 walks in 64 innings.

Overall, Hunter is 56-44 with a 4.10 ERA in 443 career appearances (75 starts) with the Texas Rangers (2008-11), Baltimore Orioles (2011-15, 2016) Chicago Cubs (2015), Cleveland Indians (2016), Tampa Bay Rays (2017) and the Phillies. Philadelphia hopes to open the season with an eight-man bullpen.