September 11, 2024
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Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
Kyle Schwarber's elbow is reportedly fine.
There's nothing the Phillies can do to prevent Alec Bohm from getting hit in the hand with a baseball, or Kyle Schwarber from tweaking his elbow sliding back to first base.
Wear and tear is a part of baseball.
But the Phillies are certainly reeling a bit from injuries, as even the healthy players — like Bryce Harper — are pushing through at less than 100% as the end of the regular season approaches.
Entering Wednesday's finale against the Rays, the Phillies' magic number (wins plus Braves/Mets losses) to win the NL East is 10, and their number to clinch a first-round postseason bye is 14. With 17 games remaining, they have the opportunity to lock up their fate relatively early and take their foot off the gas a bit.
Here's a look at where things stand with some key injured players...
It seems like Rob Thomson's decision to yank Schwarber from Tuesday's game was precautionary, and he is likely to be batting leadoff again Wednesday:
Rob Thomson doesn’t seem worried about Kyle Schwarber. Neither does Schwarber. Called it a bruise/hyperextension.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 11, 2024
He could play tomorrow night.
Another bad break came a few days ago when Realmuto fouled a ball off his knee pretty hard. He's been out since Friday in Miami but the news is positive, as he could be back on the field this weekend against the Mets:
“We want to make sure the fluid is out of his knee,” Thomson said earlier this week via MLB.com. “We want to see him catch a bullpen [session]. We thought maybe there was a chance he was going to catch a bullpen [Monday], but we didn’t get there. He still needs to do some work.”
He has not been added to the injured list — which also supports a speedy return.
MORE: Ranking the Phillies' most likely postseason opponents
The most concerning injury to an everyday player has to be Bohm, who was struck by a pitch to his left hand and was initially not put on the injured list amid optimism that he'd be back quickly. He was not — and is not eligible to return until September 13 at the earliest.
Clearly the priority with Bohm, who was chasing an NL doubles and RBI crown for most of the season, is to have him right for the postseason. He could return against the Mets, but with Kody Clemens playing well, he could take some extra time before returning to the everyday lineup.
Spasms in the Phillies' utilityman's back have had him out for a bit, and he currently sits on the Phillies' injured list. He is not eligible to return until September 17 in the middle of the Brewers series — but the expectation is he should be back on the field on that date or shortly after.
Acquired at the deadline in July, the Phillies' fourth outfielder has been out with a kidney infection since September 2. There isn't much news about his possible return yet, but one should expect it to be in time for the playoffs, if not sooner.
Turnbull has been out for a while, but it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel as Turnbull is expected to face live hitters for the first time in two months Friday. The plan appears to be to try and get him ramping up to join the team in time for October, where he can serve as a long reliever, or god forbid a spot starter if the team needs him.
MORE: Phils split set with Marlins after Seth Johnson's disastrous debut
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