The Philadelphia Phillies already need to alter their Opening Day plans one week into Spring Training. Wesley Wilson’s oblique injury is expected to keep him out for the next six weeks and it sends the back end of Philadelphia’s bench into a wide-open competition.
While the injury has a more direct effect for players vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster, it could lead to a larger role to some of the established veterans. Juggling the lineup has been discussed since the start of Spring Training but it could be the end of a platoon that has driven Phillies fans crazy during one player’s time in Philadelphia.
Brandon Marsh Could See More At-Bats Against Left-Handers After Phillies Early Injury
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber dove into the possibility that Brandon Marsh could see more at-bats against left-handed pitching as a result of Wilson’s injury during Spring Training. The Phillies have been interested in seeing Marsh in a more expanded sample against left-handed pitching, but it hasn’t come to fruition as he’s logged just 200 total plate appearances against left-handers over the past two seasons.
There is a reason why Marsh hasn’t seen many left-handers. The 27-year-old hit just .229/.321/.396 with three homers and 16 RBI in 110 plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2023 and hit .192/.270/.282 with one home run and eight RBI last season. It’s also why Marsh has made just 34 combined starts against lefties since coming over from the Los Angeles Angels with 16 coming last season.
But Lauber noted that Wilson’s injury could force Philadelphia’s hand and lead to Marsh trying to get over his futility against southpaws.
“For one thing, they are thin on righty-hitting outfielders to split time with Marsh,” Lauber wrote. “...Wilson’s injury could strengthen Johan Rojas’ hold on a roster spot as a platoon partner for Marsh in center field. The Phillies also intend to give infielder Edmundo Sosa a longer look in the outfield. And there’s always the possibility of a trade later in Spring Training."
“Or, you know, Marsh could just elbow his way into the lineup every day by getting a few more hits against lefties. It would help too if [Phillies manager] Rob Thomson let him face more lefties early in the season.”
The Phillies may have room to tinker with their lineup after posting MLB’s third highest OPS against left-handers last season at .783. But Thomson also doesn’t want to put a black hole in his lineup when he’s facing a southpaw on the mound.
It puts Marsh’s performance against left-handers into the spotlight and could play a pivotal role on who makes the Opening Day roster when the Phillies travel to face the Washington Nationals on March 27.