Saunders is not in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt with the Reds, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

"Captain Canada" doubled and walked in his Phillies debut on Opening Day, but with left-hander Brandon Finnegan taking the hill for Cincinnati, Saunders will take the night off. Aaron Altherr will fill in for him in right field and bat sixth.

Saunders (hand) played in a minor league game Saturday and had three at-bats, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saunders left Friday's Grapefruit League game after being hit in the right hand, but the move was purely precautionary. The veteran outfielder will open the season as the Phillies' starter in right field.

Manager Pete Mackanin says Saunders (hand) is "fine" after being removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game, Ryan Lawrence of The Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saunders had exited after taking a pitch to his right hand, though Mackanin says the departure was precautionary. The veteran outfielder will be day-to-day as he recovers from the bruise and should be perfectly ready for Opening Day.

Saunders left Friday's Grapefruit League contest after being hit by a pitch in the right hand, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hopefully it's nothing too serious and more information should be available soon. Saunders is having a rough spring, hitting just .200/.308/.289 through 17 games, but is locked in as the Phillies' starting right fielder this coming season. Aaron Altherr is the likely replacement if he's forced to miss extended time.

Saunders is hitting .200/.308/.289 with a home run in 45 at-bats this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Spring stats do not matter for Saunders, who is locked in as the Phillies' starting right fielder, but it would be nice to see him start producing a bit more with the regular season around the corner. Saunders hit fifth Thursday in what was a likely preview of the lineup manager Pete Mackanin will typically roll out against right handed pitchers this season.

Saunders said Thursday that he will not play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saunders said he wants to stay in camp to get to know his new teammates and to get comfortable playing with everyone on the field. He is set to open the season as the Phillies' starting right fielder.

The Phillies officially announced the signing of Saunders to a one-year deal with a club option for 2018 on Thursday, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saunders will earn $9 million this season and the club option for 2018 is worth $11 million with escalators that could push the total value to $14 million. He will start in right field for the Phillies this season and will be trade bait this summer if the team is not in playoff contention. Severino Gonzalez was designated for assignment to make room for Saunders on the Phillies' roster.

Saunders and the Phillies have agreed on a one-year deal, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The exact details of the agreement have not yet been released, but it's believed to be a one-year deal with a potential option for the 2018 season. The 30-year-old spent last season in Toronto, hitting .243 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI. Saunders figures to be the Phillies' regular starter in right field against right-handed pitchers, and he'll likely platoon with Aaron Altherr when facing a southpaw. Saunders is a career .236 hitter versus righties (1,556 career at-bats), compared to .233 versus lefties (681 at-bats).

Saunders did not receive a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays and is now a free agent, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

EDGE Analysis

A draft pick will not be attached to Saunders, which will make him all the more appealing in free agency. He played 108 games in left field and 22 games in right field in 2016, while also getting a handful of starts as the designated hitter. Saunders has slightly better career splits against righties (100 wRC+ against RHP, 90 wRC+ against LHP), so he could occupy the strong side of a corner outfield platoon with whatever team signs him.

Saunders is unlikely to be extended a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyman points to a rough finish as to why the Jays are hesitant to give Saunders an offer. After hitting a robust .281/.366/.536 through the end of June, Saunders fell flat in the final two months of the season with a .186/.267/.338 line in August and September. Not that Saunders is complaining, as no draft pick compensation should significantly open up his free agent market.