Dodgers Get Huge Injury Updates Impacting Critical Phillies Series

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Turner will not join the Phillies for the Dodgers series in Los Angeles, but there’s hope he could return shortly after, potentially before the regular season concludes. The shortstop had been enjoying a standout campaign, slashing .305/.356/.458 and on pace for a National League batting title. This season, Turner focused on baserunning and creating havoc on the paths rather than just hitting for power. “With these injuries, it’s kind of up in the air,” Turner said. “You can guess a little bit, but sometimes it can go a little better or it can go a little worse. So just take it one day at a time.”

Turner’s Grade 1 hamstring strain is less severe than the Grade 2 strain that sidelined him six weeks last year. Thomson compared it to Edmundo Sosa’s late-2022 injury, suggesting Turner could return in time for the postseason. “As soon as possible obviously, but for the playoffs is most important,” Turner added.

The Phillies also placed third baseman Alec Bohm on the 10-day IL with left shoulder inflammation. “He’s been grinding with this left shoulder for a while now, fighting through it,” Thomson said. Philadelphia recalled Otto Kemp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and selected the contract of infielder Donovan Walton to fill the roster gaps.

Turner’s absence has prompted Bryce Harper to hit leadoff for the first time in a meaningful game since 2019. “It’s tough. Any time you lose one of your premier players, obviously, it’s hard. Guys got to step up,” Harper said. Defensively, Edmundo Sosa will handle shortstop duties, Bryson Stott could mix in at second, and Kemp, Weston Wilson, and Walton will rotate at third.

The Phillies enter the Dodgers series with a record of 89-61, leading the NL East, while Los Angeles is 84-65 and atop the NL West. Despite setbacks, the team remains focused on player health. “We really have to pay attention to the health of our players, because this has cut into our depth,” Thomson said.

Even with ace Zack Wheeler sidelined for the season, the Phillies remain a formidable opponent. “Everybody’s just got to do their job,” Harper said. “Just being themselves and understanding you can’t replace a Trea Turner. It’s just not possible. Just like you can’t replace a Zack Wheeler or anybody else.”

As the Dodgers face the Phillies without Turner and Bohm for the start of the series, the matchup will test the resilience of both teams heading into the final stretch of the season. Progress on Turner’s recovery offers hope the Phillies’ lineup could be fully restored for the postseason, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Los Angeles.