The Phillies season has come to the unofficial midway point – the All-Star break.
The Phillies, like every franchise, have to manage the roster through injuries in order to be successful over the long haul that is the MLB season. Let’s check in on the Phillies players dealing with injuries and their current status.
Phillies Bullpen
Jose Alvarado (15-day injured list)
The Phillies announced Sunday morning that left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado was headed to the injured list, retroactive to July 7, with left elbow inflammation. Alvarado has continued his resurgence with the Phillies this season, pitching to the tune of a 1.38 ERA and 1.154 WHIP, with 39 strikeouts and six saves over 26 innings of work.
Seranthony Dominguez (15-day injured list)
Seranthony Dominguez was added to the injured list on June 17 with an oblique strain. The hard-throwing right-hander is eligible to return as soon as he is ready, likely just after the All-Star break. The right-hander has had an up-and-down season, totaling a 1-2 record with a 4.33 ERA and 1.556 WHIP over 27 innings. He had an impressive May, pitching to a 0.93 ERA over 12 appearances in the month.
Key pieces of Phillies lineup
Bryce Harper (Active; recovering from Tommy John surgery)
Bryce Harper has been back in the lineup as the everyday Designated Hitter while working on building up his arm strength to potentially play the field before season’s end. He has been working on playing first base to limit the need to throw as hard and as often as one might need to in the outfield.
The Phillies star was removed from Saturday’s contest against the Marlins after being hit by a pitch in the surgically repaired elbow. X-rays came back negative, but Harper was held out of Sunday’s lineup for the series finale in Miami in an effort to receive extra rest heading into the All-Star break.
Harper hopes to be playing the field shortly after the break, and hopes to get some of his power back as well. He is in the midst of the longest homer-less streak of his career.
Rhys Hoskins (60-day injured list)
Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL fielding a ground ball during spring training. The first baseman underwent successful surgery on March 30. The club announced at the time his timetable to return would be 7-9 months.
There is an outside chance he could return if the Phillies go on another magical run to the World Series. However, there is a precedent Hoskins can point to on the Phillies roster as teammate Kyle Schwarber tore his ACL in the third game of the 2016 season when playing for the Chicago Cubs. He returned in the World Series and hit .412 in the five games to help the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.
Phillies Prospects
Andrew Painter (60-day injured list)
Painter had his throwing program paused and was sent for evaluation after reportedly feeling discomfort in his throwing elbow during a session on July 6. On July 8, manager Rob Thomson provided an update to reporters, noting that Painter’s tests results actually showed healing in his right elbow.
Noah Song (60-day injured list)
Noah Song landed on the injured list back in March with a lower-back strain. The Rule-5 pick did not pitch in a game until June 28. Prior to returning to the Navy to fulfill his military responsibility, he was considered a top prospect. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported Song hit 96 mph in his most recent outing for Clearwater (Single-A).
Barring a setback, Song must be activated by July 28, or the Phillies will have to offer him back to the Boston Red Sox. They are treating him as a reliever in hopes that he can help in the bullpen this season. Per Rule-5 rules, Song must spend 90 days on the major league roster before they can send him down without having to call Boston first.
He may not be ready for the majors just yet, but as the last man in the bullpen and roster expansion coming in September – the risk could be worth the reward if Song lives up to the once lofty expectations he had as a young prospect. There is currently no timetable for his activation outside of the July 28 deadline.
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