The Philadelphia Phillies were informed on Saturday that Trea Turner will miss some time due to an apparent innocuous play on Friday night at home plate.
Due to a left hamstring strain, the great shortstop was placed on the 10-day injured list. However, Todd Zloecki of MLB.com estimates that the injury would take at least six weeks to heal. That’s a long time for a player who has been a key member of this Phillies squad since the beginning. Which Phillies players will, in the interim, truly need to step it up to help cover the void? At least three players on the team will have to contribute more to the offense while Turner is healing.
Edmundo Sosa
Edmundo Sosa, the backup infielder for the Phillies, is the first guy in the replacement queue who makes the most sense. Ultimately, he was the first player called up to take Turner’s place on Friday, and he also started on Saturday. According to Paul Casella of MLB.com, manager Rob Thomson said that starting Sosa at short right now is the main strategy. During the 2022 trade deadline, the Phillies acquired Sosa from the St. Louis Cardinals. Mostly recognized for his defensive prowess, he has been an invaluable member of the Phillies bench. Being adaptable, he can play shortstop, third base, and second base, making him a valuable backup for any position.
The 28-year-old, who gets little playing time, has also had some success at the plate. Before Sunday’s play, he had a strong.263 average, a.759 OPS, 45 runs scored, 23 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, and 45 RBI in just 354 at-bats as a Phillie. He had appeared in 138 games.
Sosa will undoubtedly improve the Phillies’ overall infield defense with his 15 DRS across six seasons of infield play, but he will also need to amp up his offensive game to help make up for some of the offense that Turner’s bat has left behind. Maybe now that he’s getting to play nearly every day, his offensive potential will be able to be realized.
