The Philadelphia Phillies are getting infielders back from the injured list soon. On Saturday the Phillies sent Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa on rehab assignments with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Bohm has been on the injured list with a left hand strain. It is anticipated that he will be activated before the Phillies series against the Milwaukee Brewers, and he is technically eligible to come off of the injured list already. The plan is for Bohm to play two rehab assignment games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Sosa has been on the injured list with back spasms. Unlike Bohm, Sosa is not eligible to come off the injured list until Tuesday. According to the Phillies, Sosa should be able to be activated when eligible. This is significant given the implications of the Brewers series.
Infielders Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa will begin rehab assignments today with Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 14, 2024
With J.T. Realmuto back in the lineup, the Phillies will not need to keep three catchers. Therefore, expect Aramis Garcia to be designated for assignment as the corresponding move once the first activation between Bohm and Sosa occurs. Garcia has no minor league options remaining. Buddy Kennedy is likely to be optioned to Triple-A as the other corresponding move. Garcia and Kennedy have seen limited playing time during their brief stints on the 28-man roster. With Garcia needing to be designated for assignment, that will open a spot on the Phillies 40-man roster, which is currently full, for Spencer Turnbull once he returns.
Phillies Getting Infielders Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa Back From Injury
Lineup Impact
Bohm will retake the starting third base position and likely return to batting fourth. With Bohm and Sosa out, Kody Clemens and Weston Wilson have been handling third base duties. Clemens will return to a bench role. Meanwhile, Wilson will likely platoon with Brandon Marsh in left field until Austin Hays returns. Bohm being back in the lineup will move Nick Castellanos down in the batting order. There is an argument to be made that Castellanos should bat fifth when Bohm returns. Bryson Stott would bat sixth in this scenario. Castellanos has a .780 OPS and a 117 wRC+ in the second half, while Stott has a .676 OPS and a 87 wRC+ in that time. Bohm has a .739 OPS and a 107 wRC+ since the All-Star break. Batting Castellanos fourth with Bohm fifth is possible.
Sosa returning will help the bench, and Sosa and Stott will probably platoon at second base for the rest of the season. This is because this season, Stott only has a .596 OPS and a 75 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, while Sosa has a much better .893 OPS and a 146 wRC+. It remains to be seen if Phillies manager Rob Thomson will elect to have Stott and Sosa platoon during the postseason. The bench depth Sosa adds gives Thomson multiple reliable pinch-hit options in late-game situations. It is important for the Phillies to get healthy with the postseason approaching. Bohm and Sosa returning is a good sign for the Phillies’ health moving forward.
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