Phillies Receive Disappointing Update on Trea Turner Injury

Update: Turner told reporters on Saturday that he expects to miss at least six weeks and any return before that "would be a win," per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten off to a great start this season as they have the most wins in majors (22) heading into Saturday’s action, fifth-best batting average (.253), and scored 4.6 runs per game.

Star shortstop Trea Turner has played a huge part in the Phillies’ early-season success, but they will be without their talented infielder for some time. 

The Phillies announced on Saturday that they placed Turner on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. To take Turner’s spot on the 26-man roster, the Phillies called up Kody Clemens from Triple-A.

Turner suffered the soft tissue injury in Friday night’s win over the San Francisco Giants. The speedy infielder scored from second base in the fourth inning, thanks to a passed ball. 

It was an incredible play by Turner, but he “felt something in his left hamstring just a couple of steps before he reached home plate,” per Zolecki.

The 30-year-old Turner immediately exited the game and Edmundo Sosa took over at shortstop. This season, the veteran shortstop has been outstanding at the top of the Phillies’ batting order, slugging .343 with two home runs and nine RBIs. He’s also recorded 10 stolen bases, which has helped spark the Phillies’ offense.

Without Turner, the Phillies will likely lean on Sosa to hold things down at shortstop. However, there’s also a chance the Phillies could put Bryson Stott at shortstop and have Whit Merrifield play at second base.

Nonetheless, the Phillies won’t try to rush Turner back as they know soft tissue injuries could linger if improperly handled.

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