PHILADELPHIA – Before the Phillies take the field against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday evening, Rob Thomson provided injury updates on various players.
Over the past few days, players like Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, and Austin Hays hit the Injured List with injuries. Players who are banged up and not on the IL consist of Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto, who are both out of action in the finale against the Rays.
Phillies Injury Updates
Kyle Schwarber
The biggest piece of Phillies injury news is related to Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber left Tuesday’s game with a hyperextension of his elbow. He had dove back into first base after the Rays’ catcher attempted a back pick, where Kyle got in safely. A few pitches later he would score on a 2-run home run hit by Trea Turner.
Since Kyle is the designated hitter, everything seemed normal until his place in the lineup came back around. He would be pinch hit for by Buddy Kennedy, alerting everyone that something was wrong.
After the game, Schwarber mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about his elbow and did not expect it to prevent him from playing. He was penciled in the lineup for Wednesday but then removed shortly after. When Kyle went to take his pre-game swings, he could still feel discomfort. Out of precaution, Rob Thomson is holding him out of tonight’s game.
He expects the slugger to return to the Phillies lineup on Friday against the Mets.
JT Realmuto
Another player who did not go on the Injured List was JT Realmuto.
The veteran backstop has been banged up this season and over the last few days has sat out due to a left knee contusion. JT has dealt with some swelling and fluid in his leg, causing the club to keep him inactive.
In the meantime, Garrett Stubbs and Aramis Garcia have been filling in for the former All-Star catcher. Garcia will catch Zack Wheeler for their matchup against Tampa Bay and give Stubbs the night off. Garrett has been taking some punishment on the field himself, but catchers prove to be as tough as they come.
Rob Thomson mentioned a few days ago that Realmuto was set to return on Friday. He remained steadfast in his statement, reiterating that we would see JT Realmuto back in the lineup on Friday evening.
Injured List Candidates
Edmundo Sosa, Austin Hays, and Alec Bohm have all been placed on the 10-day Injured List over the past week. Bohm (hand), Sosa (back), and Hays (kidney) have been working on the field in recent days.
Alec Bohm has been swinging a short bat without pain, which is a positive sign. When he tries to swing his regular bat, however, he still feels some discomfort in his hand. The expectation is that Bohm will still be day-to-day with the hand injury. It is unsure if he will return for the Mets’ series this weekend.
Edmundo Sosa was running before tonight’s game and taking ground balls at second base. He would be eligible to return from the IL on 9/17 if everything goes according to plan. As it stands, it does not look like they will be hindered from doing so against the Brewers.
Austin Hays is the other regular Phillie who has found himself on the IL. Hays had been dealing with a kidney infection. He would be able to return to the Phillies on 9/12 if he is ready. Thomson did not provide an update pregame but Hays was active on the field. Austin has battled the injury bug since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline.
The club will have to keep managing their way through games until they return to full strength. With it being this late in the season, they have to hope that they won’t be adding any more players to the Injured List. Health will be key for the Phillies as they look to head back to the World Series.
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
