As the Phillies continue on in their hunt to secure a second-straight National League East title, manager Rob Thomson provided some updates on the Phillies’ injured players Saturday.
Sosa feeling better
Shortstop Edmundo Sosa had been dealing with some tightness in his right groin. Friday night, Thomson removed him in the seventh inning due to the injury.
“He went for a ball up the middle last night, and he came out of it, and I thought, It didn't look right,” Thomson said on Sosa. “He was honest with me. He said, yeah, it's hurting. So I got him out. Give him a couple of days, just see if this thing can just slow down a little bit.”
Thomson reported that Sosa is feeling better today and that he was seeing a doctor pre-game. The current hope is that Sosa will avoid a trip to the Injured List and that a few days of rest will do the trick for the Phillies’ utility man.
Turner and Bohm progressing
Sosa had recently seen an increase in playing time as Trea Turner was placed on the IL with a Grade 1 hamstring strain Sunday. Turner got some work done in the field today, throwing, fielding, and doing some resistance running. Turner’s next step will be to begin swinging the bat, which Thomson is hopeful he will start doing so by Monday.
Alec Bohm was placed on the IL as well on Sunday with shoulder inflammation. Bohm took the field to get some infield work in on Sunday, and will hopefully work off of the tee as well. With a trip to the West Coast beginning on Monday, Bohm will travel with the team in hopes of playing during their series in Arizona next weekend.
Update on Romano
Jordan Romano was placed on the IL in late August with inflammation in his right middle finger. The 32-year old former closer owns an 8.23 ERA on the season, the worst mark on his career. Romano checked in Saturday with a stiff neck and a numb finger, possibly indicating a nerve problem remains. Romano did not throw his originally scheduled bullpen session today.
Thomson is not ready to call it quits on Romano in 2025, indicating that the Phillies still intend for Romano to rehabilitate before season’s end if possible.
“If he can't get into games, we can always simulate stuff out here,” Thomson described. “You know, we'll just see when that thing clears up and get him back.”
Zack Wheeler’s procedure is scheduled
Zack Wheeler, meanwhile, is preparing for thoracic outlet decompression surgery to combat his case of venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Thomson confirmed that Wheeler’s procedure has been scheduled for September 23 and will be conducted by Robert W. Thompson, MD. Thompson is the director of the Washington University Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
When asked, Thomson denied any familial ties to the similarly named medical professional.
Phillies pushing on
With the magic number sitting at three to clinch both a playoff berth and the NL East title, Thomson acknowledged that the anticipation may be setting in in one-on-one conversations. He remained steadfast, however, that the clubhouse is united and ready to push on towards their larger objectives with the postseason approaching.
“We’ve got goals beyond just getting in or winning the division,” said Thomson. “So we just have to keep going, keep winning series, including this one. We’ve got five series left, and that's the goal is to win every series.”
