Andrew Heller: Mickey Moniak makes rehab appearance in Fightins' 4-3 extra-inning loss to Binghamton

May 25—While he'd surely rather be in the big leagues, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Mickey Moniak is looking to make the most out of his rehab assignment while playing in Reading with the Fightin Phils this week.

Moniak, who had made his first Opening Day major league roster, instead has been on the injured list since April 7 after breaking his right hand in the Phillies' final spring training game.

Moniak batted leadoff for the Fightins and went 2-for-5 during Reading's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Tuesday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"My hand feels great, my body feels great," said Moniak, the top overall pick in the 2016 draft. "The goal was to get up there (Philadelphia) and help the team win and I think it's a process to get back up there. These games are needed down here to be able to get back into the flow of a game and play nine innings. In spring training, I didn't even play one nine-inning game all the way up until I got hit. So it's good to be down here and get full games in for now."

Moniak hit two singles, struck out twice and flied out against the Rumble Ponies (13-26) in his first game at FirstEnergy Stadium since 2019.

"Driving in I made the same drive I did back in 2019," Moniak said. "Definitely, walking out on the field and being around these fans, it's something special. They call it Baseballtown for a reason and it's obviously good to be back."

With center fielders Odubel Herrera and Roman Quinn struggling at the plate in Philadelphia, the speculation is that the Phillies quickly will bring Moniak up if his rehab is successful.

"I'm just trying to be me; I'm just trying to be Mickey Moniak," the 24-year-old said. "I'm trying to go up there and kind of pick up where I left off in spring training and just help the team win. I think that lineup is still very dangerous and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Moniak opened eyes in spring training by hitting .378 with six home runs. He hit a triple and a double in his first rehab game with the low Single-A Clearwater Threshers on Friday.

Moniak said he believes his assignment in Reading will last through Thursday and did not dismiss the possibility of a quick call-up to Philadelphia for this weekend's series against the Mets in New York.

"There's always a chance for anything," Moniak said. "If I do meet the team in New York that's awesome; I'll be ready. But if not and they feel like I need to get more at-bats then that's what I'll do.

"I feel ready now. I'm not a guy who needs a ton of at-bats to get ready. So I think the biggest thing is just being on my feet for nine innings and playing a full game."

In Tuesday's game, Reading (17-23) trailed the Rumble Ponies 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth when a Logan O'Hoppe double started a three-run rally. Josh Ockimey followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Ali Castillo hit an RBI single to center to score O'Hoppe.

After a Chris Sharpe flied out, Freylin Minyety hit a two-run single to right field, scoring Ockimey and Castillo and tie it at 3-3.

Moniak singled on a line drive to center field with one on and two outs in the ninth. Jhaliyn Ortiz flied out to center to send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th, Zach Ashford scored from third on a Wyatt Young sacrifice fly to give the Rumble Ponies a 4-3 lead.

Ockimey grounded into a double play with runners on the corners to end the game.

Left-hander Ethan Lindow allowed four hits, including a home run, and struck out three in five innings for the Fightins. Matt Seelinger took the loss.