Rhys Hoskins diagnosed with torn ACL following spring training injury

Rhys Hoskins diagnosed with torn ACL following spring training injury

It was supposed to be an amazing day at the ballpark for the Phillies. The trio of Team USA superstars in Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and JT Realmuto returned from their World Baseball Classic duties, and the Phillies stand just a week away from beginning their defense of the 2022 National League Championship title.

Then, just like that, all of the good feels vanished.

Rhys Hoskins tears ACL in spring training game

In the top of the second inning, Rhys Hoskins started to back-track on a groundball from Austin Meadows that took him into shallow right field. Then, with his final step before making his field attempt, he kicks his left leg into the air and goes down.

The Phillies’ athletic training staff and EMT’s immediately went out to assist as fans were left to fear the worst. A few innings later in the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers, manager Rob Thomson cited Hoskins’ calming demeanor as a leader in the clubhouse, hoping that the injury was not one to be worried about as he awaited news of Hoskins’ test results

Then, at 7:30 PM, the Phillies announced the prognosis.

An ACL reconstruction surgery generally has a timeline of at least six months to full recovery. This timeline would put Hoskins returning to baseball action in late September at the absolute earliest should all go well.

While that does leave a sliver of hope that Hoskins could return this season, it would mean Hoskins would attempt to make his return in the final weeks of a potentially playoff-bound Phillies team, totally fresh, with next to no time rehabbing in the minors as the Minor League Baseball season ends at that time.

More likely: Rhys Hoskins, the Scott Boras client due to reach free agency, has played his last game in Phillies pinstripes.

With one week remaining until the 2023 season begins, manager Rob Thomson and general manager Sam Fuld must now figure out a replacement for Hoskins either within the organization or without. Internal options include Darick Hall, Alec Bohm, and Kyle Schwarber, however, there are negative effects to each.

Best wishes to Hoskins for a quick recovery.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire