Injury Updates: The Phillies need to focus on getting healthy before the playoffs

The Philadelphia Phillies have just 18 games remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season and the main priority is getting the roster as healthy as possible before the postseason and “Red October” begins next month. 

It hasn’t really been easy and the Phillies continue to put players on the injury list which leaves me to ask the question: what’s up with the Phillies medical staff?

Every time someone gets hurt, there’s a quick comment from Rob Thomson saying that player is “fine” and will return in a few days, only to then discover that they are put on the injured list or in Bryce Harper’s case, just continues to play through it. 

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JT Realmuto 

JT Realmuto exited the game in the fourth inning of Friday night’s blowout 16-2 win over the Marlins. He was forced to leave in the fourth after fouling a pitch off his left knee in the second. Despite the pain, he still managed to knock in an RBI single before leaving the game.

Realmuto got the day off on Saturday and according to Rob Thomson, Sunday’s finale against the Fish was a scheduled day off – so everyone assumed Realmuto would return to the lineup last night when the Phillies opened up a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

That is no longer the case. 

Fast forward to Monday, and Thomson is now hopeful Realmuto could be back in action this weekend when they take on the Mets. 

“We want to make sure the fluid is out of his knee,” Thomson said. “We want to see him catch a bullpen [session]. We thought maybe there was a chance he was going to catch a bullpen today, but we didn’t get there. He still needs to do some work.” [MLB]

Alec Bohm

Alec Bohm is still playing the waiting game when it comes to his return. He’s eligible to come off the 10-day IL on September 13, just in time for the Phillies’ series against the Mets, but he’s not making any promises just yet.

Bohm injured his left hand swinging the bat against the Braves back on August 29, and while the team initially hoped to have him back last weekend against the Marlins, things haven’t quite gone as planned.

Still, Bohm remains optimistic, saying he’ll be ready to roll and dialed in at the plate well before the postseason kicks off. 

Austin Hays 

Austin Hays gave Phillies manager Rob Thomson an update on Monday, saying he’s feeling better, but his legs still feel “heavy.” Hays landed on the IL on September 5 (retroactive to September 2), and he’s headed back to Philly for more tests.

Since being traded from Baltimore at the deadline, Hays has been solid, hitting .254 over 19 games. It’s a bit of a setback, but hopefully, they’ll get him sorted out soon.

(Last updated: Sept. 9)

Edmundo Sosa 

Edmundo Sosa hit the 10-day IL on September 8 (retroactive to the 7th) after experiencing back spasms. It all started when he felt something off in his back before taking swings in the cage in Miami. When the issue lingered the next day, the Phillies decided to play it safe and placed him on the IL.

According to Thomson, Sosa is only expected to be out for the minimum time, so it shouldn’t be too long before he’s back in the mix.

(Last updated: Sept. 8)

Spencer Turnbull 

Time’s ticking for the Phillies and Spencer Turnbull to get him back in the bullpen before the season wraps up, but there’s still hope he could contribute.

Turnbull has been rehabbing in Clearwater, Fla., but a setback in August threw a wrench in the timeline. While it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, the team’s still holding out hope that he’ll be ready to help down the stretch.

Phillies Standings Update:

The Phillies are 86-58, up seven games on the Mets and eight on the Braves with 18 to play in the NL East standings. The Dodgers got rocked last night by the Chicago Cubs (thank you) which put the Phillies in first place not only in the National League, but in all of Major League Baseball.

Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.90 ERA) is set to take the mound tonight at The Bank against Tampa Bay Rays’ pitcher Taj Bradley (6-10, 4.40 ERA). 

Bradley has a 9.98 ERA over his last three appearances. 

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