Hunter (hamstring) is set to pitch in an extended spring game Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter is expected to be ready to return after making a pair of rehab appearances, leaving him eligible to return sometime next week. When he arrives in Philadelphia, he'll assume a role as a setup man in front of Hector Neris. Neris' closer role isn't under any immediate threat, though he does have a 7.71 ERA through his first five appearances.

Hunter (hamstring) took fielding practice Wednesday and is set to go for a rehab assignment soon, Bob Brookover of The Philadephia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter opened the year on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. The injury wasn't expected to be serious, though he doesn't yet have a set return date. He'll likely need a few rehab appearances before returning to Philadelphia, where he'll slide into a setup role in front of Hector Neris.

Hunter (hamstring) threw a simulated game with High-A Clearwater, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter suffered a hamstring strain towards the end of spring training, which ultimately forced him to open the season on the disabled list. While the 31-year-old reported feeling better following his simulated outing, he remains without a concrete return date. The hope remains that he won't need much longer than the 10-day minimum stay on the shelf. Hunter is eligible to return Saturday.

The Phillies placed Hunter (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said earlier in the week that Hunter wouldn't be ready to go for Opening Day after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, so the DL move was fully expected. Hunter's injury isn't viewed as especially serious, so the Phillies are hopeful he won't be sidelined much longer than the 10-day minimum. Once Hunter is back in the fold, he'll step back in as a key part of the bridge to closer Hector Neris.

Hunter is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will open the season on the 10-day disabled list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when Hunter picked up the injury, but manager Gabe Kapler didn't seem too worried about it, saying the Phillies are just playing it safe with the reliever and don't expect the issue to be a long-term concern, according to Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer. That said, he remains without a timetable for his return at the moment. The 31-year-old, who inked a two-year deal with the Phillies in the offseason, is expected to serve as one of the team's top setup men when healthy. With Hunter sidelined to start the year, however, Pat Neshek and Luis Garcia will be tasked with getting the ball to closer Hector Neris.

Hunter has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies worth approximately $18 million, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tuesday was an eventful night, as it was first reported that the Phillies were landing Addison Reed, which turned out to be incorrect. They instead came to terms with Hunter, who will serve as one of their top setup men in 2018. The 31-year-old righty logged a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 58.2 innings for the Rays last season. He has 17 career saves, but most of those came in 2014 with the Orioles. Hector Neris would open the year as the Phillies' closer if they don't make more moves, but talks with Reed are reportedly ongoing.

Hunter notched his 24th hold in Friday's 13-6 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, firing a clean eighth inning in which he recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter had an uncharacteristically rough August, generating a 4.40 ERA due to allowing a total of seven earned runs across five outings in a 14-day span. However, he's subsequently bounced back to form, posting six consecutive scoreless efforts in which he's logged five holds and his third victory while also lowering his ERA from 2.63 to 2.33.

Hunter recorded his 20th hold in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Royals, firing a scoreless eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever has been dealing with his first difficult stretch of the season since the middle of August, so Wednesday's clean outing was a much-needed reprieve. Hunter had allowed six earned runs over his six appearances prior to Wednesday, and the seven earned runs he's allowed this month overall equals the amount he'd given up between April and the end of July. Even with the recent bump he's seen in ERA, his 52:12 K:BB over 49 innings, 1.00 WHIP and frequent success in hold opportunities keeps him very viable in all formats.

Hunter notched his 16th hold in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Mariners, firing a scoreless eighth inning and recording two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The outing was a typically dominant one for Hunter, one that's largely been the norm for him in what's shaping up to be his best major-league campaign. Sunday, he needed only 10 pitches, eight of which he threw for strikes, to dispose of Guillermo Heredia, Ben Gamel and Leonys Martin and serve as a bridge to closer Edwin Diaz. It was a strong rebound for the veteran reliever, who had uncharacteristically surrendered multiple earned runs in his previous appearance last Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Hunter (2-2) fired a scoreless 1.2 innings in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Indians, recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter now has seven consecutive scoreless efforts, a stretch in which he's compiled four holds and both of his wins. The veteran reliever's current ERA (1.58) and WHIP (0.95) are career bests, while his 9.68 K/9 is also a high-water mark during his time in the majors.