There’s never really a good time for a team to be dealing with injuries. Just ask the Atlanta Braves, a team whose season has been negatively altered thanks to season-ending injuries to star pitcher Spencer Strider and two of their best offensive weapons, Austin Riley and Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Phillies are not dealing with injury issues quite as acute as theirs, but they entered their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays as banged up as they’ve been all season.
- J.T. Realmuto is out after fouling a ball off his knee Friday night in Miami and likely will not play until this weekend against the Mets due to fluid accumulation in the joint.
- Austin Hays is on the 10-day IL due to a kidney infection. No timetable for his return has been given.
- Third baseman Alec Bohm suffered a hand strain swinging the bat against the Braves on August 29. Although he says he is improving, it’s unclear if he’ll come off the injured list when he’s eligible to on Friday.
- Edmundo Sosa, perhaps the National League’s best backup infielder, who played at an All Star level while Trea Turner missed six weeks in April and May and subbed ably for Bohm when he was out, is on the 10-day IL with back spasms. He should be back when he’s eligible to come off the IL on Monday against Milwaukee.
And that does not count Bryce Harper, who has been dealing with a wrist and elbow injury that he admits is causing him pain, specifically when he swings and misses at the plate. On the latest edition of Hittin’ Season, we discussed Harper’s power outage as a result of his lingering ailments.
At the moment, there’s not much the Phillies can do but trust Harper when he says sitting and resting will have no effect on his recovery. But the Phils need Harper to hit home runs, especially in the postseason. They have been his calling card.
Can other players pick up the slack? Sure, but Harper hitting homers is what the Phils need if they’re going to make another run to the World Series.
It is what it is. Outside of surrounding players in bubble wrap, all you can do is try to get guys healthy and ready for October. But as we’ve seen over the last couple seasons, specifically with the six-team-per-league playoff format, the hottest and healthiest teams are the ones that have gone on extended October runs.
Hopefully Harper’s power stroke returns in time for the playoffs, Realmuto’s knee settles down, Hays’ kidney infection wanes and the pitching staff avoids any further bumps in the road. The Phillies entered Monday night with a 7-game lead in the NL East with 19 games to play and a three-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers for the No. 2 seed in the NL, which would help them avoid a first-round wildcard matchup with the Padres or Diamondbacks.
Cross your fingers and say your prayers, kids.
