Late in last night's 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson had to remove shortstop, Trea Turner, after he reached base on an error in the seventh inning. Turner was to meet with a doctor for a MRI today, and when Thomson spoke with reporters today, including Paul Casella from MLB.com, he confirmed Turner's diagnosis - a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He is headed to the 10-day injured list.
More surprising, the Phillies manager also told reporters that third baseman, Alec Bohm, would be headed to the injured list with a left shoulder strain. Bohm's injury seems less serious, and the manager expects his third baseman back after the minimum 10 days. Turner, he's hoping to have back in time for the playoffs.
"We expect (Turner) back by playoff time. So actually, it was better than what we were expecting." Thomson said of Turner's test results. "And with Bohmer, he's been grinding with his left shoulder for a while now, but fighting through it. It's probably been 10 days. He could feel it every once in a while in a swing, and yesterday he felt it on every swing. So we decided to shut this thing down. We expect him to be back in 10 days."
Regarding Turner, Thomson added that Trea had felt "a little banged up," which is why he was given the day off Saturday.That may have been an indication of things to come.
https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1965168149428318292
Familiar territory for Phillies
Unfortunately, A lot of this news is not new to the Phillies. They've dealt with major injuries in years prior and been able to make the playoffs each of the last three season. Trea missed six weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain just last season. Alec spent a month on the IL with a different injury earlier in the summer.
Heck, losing two key starters isn't even foreign to this team. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper were placed on the IL the same day last season in late July. But there's a difference between late July and in September with just 19 games left to play.
Still, the game moves on. I spoke with Harrison Bader on the team's mindset with this news, on top of already losing Zack Wheeler for the remainder of the year, and he said you have to just keep moving forward:
"It's tough, but you got to go with what you got. The game doesn't care. Obviously, the opposing team doesn't care. So we gotta band together, keep supporting each other, and do our best to pick up the slack while these guys are down."
Bader would continue, discussing how they need to rise to the challenge in front of them: "There will be games, and you gotta find a way to win. So, I know they're going to be vital parts of supporting us - and we just (have to) do our best while they're gone and pick up the slack. That’s all there is to it."
It's a simple mindset to have - and the right one - but easier said than done. Turner is leading the National League with a .305 average, and in hits with 179, and with greatly improved defense - he was putting together a strong case for the league's MVP award.
Bohm is a mainstay in the middle of Philadelphia's lineup. While his slugging percentage is down a tick, he's still a key player and hit very well in August. With Topper's timeline of him dealing with the shoulder the last 10 days, that might explain his more recent struggles that saw him being penciled in lower in the lineup this past week.
Bader told me that you need to take the emotion out of it and find ways to win games, even with injuries mounting at an unfavorable time. One way is by coming together. "Baseball at this level... I think it's a universal language. What I mean by that is you find a way to win regardless of what might be stacked against you," the center fielder stated profoundly.
"Obviously we've got a couple of things with regards to injuries stacked against us. It is what it is like I said. No emotion about it - the game doesn't care, the opposition doesn't care. We got to go out there and find a way to win, especially down the stretch here. So we'll do our jobs to pick up the slack, and we'll be patiently awaiting their returns because they're really big pieces to this clubhouse and this lineup. So I'm just excited to get them back as soon as possible.
In corresponding moves, the Phillies recalled Otto Kemp to the majors and purchased the contract of utility infielder, Donovan Walton, who was traded to the Phillies on July 1 by their opponent Monday night, the New York Mets. I asked Bader about the importance of being able to turn to a guy who's had success with the club in the past like Kemp:
"Good organizations have good players, have depth, and Otto's a great example of that. I had a short time with him earlier when I first got here. He's a great player, he's a great kid, and I'm happy he's back. He's got a great opportunity in front of him and I know he's going to maximize it."
Thomson will be mixing and matching to fill the left side of his infield. Monday's lineup has Edmundo Sosa at shortstop and Otto Kemp at third base. the manager noted Bryson Stott, who played shortstop his first season in the big leagues, could see some time there. They will manage everyone, including Weston Wilson and the newcomer Walton, to ensure the rest of the guys stay healthy while they await the return of their stars.
With 19 games left - including four against the Mets - coming together is key. They will be tested. All 26 men will need to grind, play with grit, and find ways to win if they want to keep the seven game Divisional lead and four game lead for the No. 2 seed (and first round bye) that they currently hold. Because, as Bader said, the game doesn't care - and neither do your opponents. The only thing you can do, is find a way.
