Phillies’ Brandon Marsh bruises left knee in collision with center-field wall

Brandon Marsh limped around the Phillies’ clubhouse Saturday night after a come-from-behind 9-6 victory over the Royals.

Overall, though, he felt relieved to not be injured more seriously.

Marsh banged his knee on a metal rod in the center-field fence while pursuing Samad Taylor’s leadoff triple in the fifth inning. He had to be helped to his feet and didn’t put much weight on his leg as an athletic trainer helped him walk off the field.

X-rays were negative, according to the Phillies. Marsh will go for additional testing Sunday. It’s unclear whether he will need to go on the injured list.

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“Just a little contact injury,” said Marsh, replaced in center field by rookie Johan Rojas. “Should be good. We’re feeling really optimistic about it. Scary at first, but we’re all good.”

It was reminiscent of Aug. 16 of last season, when Marsh landed awkwardly after trying to make a leaping catch in Cincinnati. He was diagnosed with a bruised knee on a play that appeared much worse and wound up missing 10 games.

Manager Rob Thomson said it’s doubtful Marsh will play Sunday.

“We got the swelling to go down a good bit,” Marsh said. “I’m able to walk, so yeah, it’s a lot better.”

Rojas grabbed everyone’s attention in the first inning of his major league debut, when he made a leaping catch while crashing into the scoreboard in right-center field at Citizens Bank Park.

But his most impressive moment came last weekend.

With the Phillies trailing by two runs in the eighth inning July 29 at Pittsburgh, Rojas stepped to the plate against Pirates closer David Bednar. He laid off a curveball in the dirt, fouled off a fastball, then turned on another 98-mph heater for an RBI single to left field.

“It opened my eyes,” Thomson said Saturday.

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Because the question when the Phillies called up Rojas after the All-Star break was whether the 22-year-old could hit major league pitching. He was having a breakout season at double-A Reading, but remains a work in progress at the plate.

But Bednar has allowed only six earned runs all season. He’s as tough a righty as Rojas is going to see. And he now has one of 18 hits that Bednar has allowed to a right-handed hitter this season.

The Phillies intended for Rojas to play primarily against lefties as long as he stayed in the majors this season. But he made three starts against righties this week, an uptick in playing time that begs a question:

What will the Phillies do with Rojas when outfielder Cristian Pache returns from the injured list later this month?

Because Rojas and Pache are both right-handed hitters. Both run well, play above-average defense in center field, and are still developing as hitters.

Can two players with such similar skill sets co-exist on the roster?

“I think so,” Thomson said. “As long as they’re both getting playing time.”

But that’s the issue. Maybe it resolves itself. Pache is hitting in the cage and ramping up a throwing program at the Phillies’ training facility in Clearwater, Fla., after July 17 surgery to remove a loose screw that caused irritation in his right elbow.

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As long as Rojas continues to play well and bring energy from the No. 9 spot in the order, the Phillies could take more time with Pache. He hasn’t begun a minor league assignment, and when he does, it can last for a maximum of 30 days.

Major league rosters will expand to 28 players on Sept. 1. It would be easier to carry both Rojas and Pache if the Phillies have two additional roster spots.

In the meantime, Rojas will keep getting opportunities to play — and to make an impression on his manager.

“He’s seeing the ball very well,” Thomson said. “His poise has been outstanding. I’m thoroughly impressed with just the way he’s handling himself, just his maturity. He’s really had good at-bats. This kid’s coming from double A, he’s a young kid, and he’s handled everything so far that we’ve thrown at him.”

Curt Schilling is scheduled to attend Alumni Day next Sunday, as the Phillies salute the 1993 and 1983 NL championship teams. But Lenny Dykstra and Mitch Williams, also central figures in 1993, aren’t expected to be present. ... Entering play Saturday, Stott led the Phillies with 3.4 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference. In the last 50 years, only four Phillies infielders have had a 3.4 WAR season at age 25 or younger: Jimmy Rollins, Scott Rolen, and Mike Schmidt. ... Taijuan Walker (12-4, 3.99 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday against Royals righty Zack Greinke (1-11, 5.32).