The Philadelphia Phillies depth faces tests as both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are being placed on the 10-day injured list. Harper is dealing with a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, Schwarber has a groin strain. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that Harper could return after the All-Star break. Gelb indicated in his reporting that Schwarber will be out longer than Harper. However, according to Gelb, neither is expected to miss an extended period of time. This comes after Harper was named the starting first baseman for the NL All-Star team. Harper received the most first-round votes among NL players.
Phillies Depth Faces Tests
To fill the open 26-man roster spots, Kody Clemens has been activated off of the injured list, and Johan Rojas has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 17 games at the major league level this season, Clemens has a score of .256/.293/.615 line with three home runs and 10 RBI. Clemens has a 149 OPS+ and a 148 wRC+ this season. Meanwhile, Rojas has a .235/.271/.295 line with two home runs and 19 RBI. Rojas has a 61 OPS+ and a 61 wRC+ this season. During a brief eight-game stint at Triple-A after being demoted, Rojas had a .382/.417/.500 line with one home run and three RBI.
Worrying Injury Trend
This continues a stretch of injuries to key players. Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Brandon Marsh have spent time on the injured list. Currently, Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull are also on the injured list. It is also worth noting that all of these injuries have occurred since the start of May. The injuries to Realmuto, Walker, and Turnbull have happened in the last three weeks. Specifically, the Walker and Turnbull injuries have come within the last week.
What Happens In The Meantime
It will be a challenge for the Phillies to be without two-star players simultaneously. Furthermore, it also does not help that Harper and Schwarber are two of their first three batters in the lineup. Bryson Stott will likely be moved into the first or third spot in the batting order. It would not be surprising if the Phillies had Stott, Turner, and Alec Bohm as the first three batters in some order. Additionally, Nick Castellanos will likely see some time in the top three in the lineup when one of the others has a day off.
Defensively, the outfield should return to being Marsh, Rojas, and Nick Castellanos. There will probably be a platoon involving Edmundo Sosa and Clemens. When Sosa is in the lineup, Alec Bohm would be at first base. Clemens would play first base while in the lineup in this scenario. The designated hitter spot could see a rotation. That would likely involve David Dahl and Whit Merrifield. Given their defensive abilities, it would not be shocking to see Bohm and Castellanos be the designated hitters while Merrifield plays on the field.
Main Photo Credits: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
