With the team continuing to play well in his absence Philadelphia Phillies should not rush shortstop Trea Turner back from the injured list. Turner suffered a hamstring injury during a game against the San Francisco Giants on May 3. Currently, he is expected to return sometime in June, although he did recently have a setback. While working out prior to games during the Phillies’ series against the Colorado Rockies, Turner experienced leg soreness. He has since resumed workouts, but has not done baserunning drills since dealing with leg soreness. It appears that Turner is on track to return earlier than initially expected.
After feeling some soreness and stiffness in his hamstring, the Phillies will “pull back” on Trea Turner’s rehab.
Corey Seidman has the latest: pic.twitter.com/o2m8W0rYSx
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 26, 2024
One thing that complicates Turner returning to the lineup in early June is the Phillies’ schedule. They have a home series against the St. Louis Cardinals and then one against the Milwaukee Brewers. Following that homestand which runs from May 31 to June 5, the Phillies have the following two days off. That is to allow for travel for their two-game series in London against the New York Mets on June 8 and June 9. They are then off on June 10. After returning to the United States, they will have a six-game road trip, traveling to Boston and Baltimore. This schedule setup makes it unlikely that Turner will return before the London Series.
Phillies Should Not Rush Shortstop Back
Turner Should Take Maximal Time to Recover
There is no need for the Phillies to rush Turner back, although it is encouraging to see him being ahead of schedule with recovery. Following the initial six-week timeline, he would be on track to return on June 14 or June 15 against the Baltimore Orioles. Waiting to have Turner activated from the injured list until after the London Series is the best move. This will help ensure that he is as close to fully healthy as possible when he returns. When Turner returns, expect Kody Clemens to head down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the corresponding move.
Turner will also likely have a rehab assignment with Double-A Reading or at Lehigh Valley before coming off the injured list. It remains to be seen when that rehab assignment will take place. It may happen prior to the six-week return timeline, but it could also happen afterward if the Phillies choose to go that route and take their time. There is no need to rush Turner back into the Phillies lineup before he is ready to play again. The Phillies should be cautious here given their big-picture goals for this season.
Other Players Stepping Up With Turner Out
While Turner has been out, both Clemens and Edmundo Sosa have stepped up. As a team, the Phillies are 17-7 since Turner went on the injured list. They recently suffered their first series losses since losing a series against the Cincinnati Reds from April 1 to April 3. Four of the seven losses came on the Phillies’ West Coast road trip that took place from May 24 to May 29. They faced the Colorado Rockies and the Giants on that road trip, losing both series. Before that trip, the Phillies had a six-game winning streak, including home sweeps against the Washington Nationals and the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
During Turner’s absence, Sosa has a .313/.389/.594 line with two home runs and 11 RBI. During that 20-game span, he also has a .420 wOBA and a .419 BABIP as well as a 176 wRC+. That stretch also includes 20 hits and 16 runs scored, with 10 of those 20 hits going for extra bases. Sosa has added in two stolen bases in that span. Meanwhile, Clemens has a .229/.270/.514 line with two home runs and seven RBI while Turner has been out. During that 16-game stretch, he has a .335 wOBA, a .250 BABIP, and a 118 wRC+ in those games. Clemens also has eight hits and six runs scored during those 16 games.
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