The battle with broken bones and never-ending injuries has found its way to hurt the Phillies playoff chances, as the season quickly progresses. Of course, all injuries are less than ideal in baseball, however it seems as if they occurred at the most opportune timing of the season.
The Phillies find themselves tied for fourth with the Giants in the Wild Card, one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals (third place), who trail the Padres by 2.5 games.
According to The Sporting News writer Kevin Skiver, “The new collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA featured several rule changes. One of the more consequential ones is an expanded playoff system, which will now feature 12 teams (six from each league) instead of the 10 of years past.”
Moving forward, the MLB playoffs will include:
- 3 division winners from AL
- 3 division winners from NL
- 3 wild card teams from AL
- 3 wild card teams from NL
With the Phillies in a tight Wild Card race just before the midsummer classic, they must earn a series win vs. the Marlins this weekend, if they want to move up in the standings.
Additionally, it is crucial that the Phils prepare to step up after a few days rest during the Allstar break. This hiatus gives those on the injured list more time to recover for the competitive second-half push, towards October.
According to Baseball Almanac.com, and a @barstoolphilly post on Instagram, through 85 games, the 2022 Phillies record is 46-39. This is the exact same record the 2008 World Series team achieved through 85 games. If the Phils can find a way to win series’ in the second half, the 2008 championship magic may give them some edge.
The injury update and scheduled return for Phillies key starting players is as follows:
10-day and 15-day Injured List
DH/RF Bryce Harper:
The reigning MVP suffered a left thumb fracture on June 26th, after being hit by a 97 mph fastball from Blake Snell. Since then, Harper underwent a successful surgery, and spoke to reporters on July 5th.
“I don’t wanna hope or think about anything,” Harper said. “I just want to go day by day and be back when I can, whenever I feel healthy… to help this team win, if we’re in it, if we’re out of it, I’m gonna come back and play no matter what.”
Harper’s recovery has a ways to go, as his expected return is mid-August at the absolute earliest.
RHP Zach Eflin:
Eflin struggled with right knee soreness during three starts in June, and was placed on the 15-day IL with a bruised right knee on June 28th. The righty also received a cortisone injection to alleviate the pain.
After being placed on the IL, Eflin expressed, “We’re going to take five to seven days off and let it calm down… Every fifth day is just kind of bringing (the soreness) back so the thought process is let it calm down and be back to 100 percent as opposed to dealing with it for 10 or 15 starts.”
The Phils hope to have him back in the rotation after the Allstar Break.
6o-Day IL
2B Jean Segura:
Jean Segura fractured his right index finger on May 31st vs. the Giants, as he squared to bunt. The second baseman had surgery on his index finger on June 3, and expects to meet with doctors this week, to establish further actions.
According to Phillies Blogger Conor Doherty, “Segura is right at the midway point of his original 10-12 week timeline, but if he gets back early, he could be back in the lineup in three or four weeks…with the All-Star break taking up four or five days, that basically becomes two or three weeks of games.”
The Phillies can only wait and hope that these key players are able to make a speedy recovery and back on the diamond as soon as possible. The red pinstripes have an off day today, and will face the Marlins in a three game series this weekend.
