Philadelphia Phillies Announce Alec Bohm Decision on Sunday

The Philadelphia Phillies carry an eight-game winning streak into the final game of their series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, looking to complete a strong weekend at home.

The club just rolled to a 12-3 win on Saturday, continuing a stretch of solid play across the roster. Third baseman and occasional first baseman Alec Bohm has been a key part of that recent success. He posted five multi-hit performances in his previous seven starts and collected at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games.

Manager Don Mattingly still made an unexpected call regarding Bohm for the series finale. Despite a two-hit outing on Saturday and a three-hit night on Friday that included a walk-off triple, Bohm was held out of the starting lineup Sunday.

Kyle Schwarber shifted to first base, the position Bohm had occupied for much of the recent stretch. Bryce Harper moved into the designated hitter role. The rest of the order featured Trea Turner at shortstop, Bryson Stott at second, Brandon Marsh in left, J.T. Realmuto behind the plate, J.P. Crawford in center, Edmundo Sosa at third and Bryan De La Cruz in right. Cristopher Sánchez took the mound as the starting pitcher.

The lineup was listed as follows: “Phillies 8/23 K. Schwarber 1B T. Turner SS B. Harper DH B. Stott 2B B. Marsh LF J. Realmuto C J. Crawford CF E. Sosa 3B B. De La Cruz RF C. Sánchez SP.”

Mattingly explained that Bohm had been dealing with some tightness when stretching at first base. The manager said he believed the discomfort was located in the hamstring or groin area. That concern appeared to drive the decision to give Bohm a full day off.

Mattingly did not express major worry about the issue and treated it as a precautionary step rather than a serious setback.

Bohm’s 2026 season has followed a familiar arc for many hitters. He struggled through the early months, posting modest numbers that left some observers questioning his consistency. In recent weeks, however, he has found a steadier rhythm at the plate. The timing could prove valuable as the Phillies push toward the postseason.

Through 125 games and 464 at-bats, Bohm was hitting .246 with 115 hits, 14 home runs and 75 RBIs. His slugging percentage sat at .390 and his OPS at .695. Those figures reflect gradual improvement after a slow start, and the multi-hit stretch has raised hopes that he can maintain the momentum.

Sitting a productive player is never an easy call, especially during a winning streak. Mattingly has made clear throughout the year that rest and careful management of minor issues remain priorities. With the regular season winding down and every game carrying weight in the standings, the Phillies appear intent on keeping key contributors healthy for the stretch run.

Schwarber’s move to first base offers a different look for the offense. The veteran has spent most of his time as a designated hitter or left fielder this season, so the defensive adjustment added another layer to Sunday’s plans. Harper’s presence as the DH kept one of the lineup’s most dangerous bats in the middle of the order without the defensive demands of first base.

Sosa stepping in at third base gives the Phillies another reliable option on the infield. The utility man has filled in effectively when needed, providing both solid defense and occasional pop at the plate. De La Cruz’s start in right field continued the club’s willingness to mix and match outfield combinations based on matchups and rest needs.

The Cardinals series has offered the Phillies a chance to build on recent success against a National League opponent. Philadelphia entered the weekend playing some of its best baseball of the second half, and the eight-game streak underscored the depth that has emerged across the roster.

Bohm’s absence for one afternoon does not appear to signal a longer absence. Mattingly’s comments suggested the tightness was manageable and that the day off should help. Fans following the club closely will watch Monday’s developments to see whether Bohm returns to the lineup or receives additional rest.

As the Phillies continue their push, small decisions like this one reflect a broader approach focused on durability. The combination of recent production from Bohm and the careful handling of minor physical concerns points to a team trying to balance winning now with staying intact for October.