Trea Turner continued his efforts to return to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, taking part in a live batting practice session at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. He plans to participate in additional sessions and increase the intensity of his running as he works back from a strained right hamstring suffered on September 7.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated that Turner is not yet running at full speed, estimating his current effort at “probably 75 percent.” Thomson said, “I don’t know. Seventy-seven [percent].” The team remains optimistic that Turner will be able to rejoin the lineup before the end of the weekend. If not, they expect him to be ready for the National League Division Series.
Turner’s absence has lasted more than two weeks, but he still leads the National League in batting average (.305) and hits (179), and ranks third in WAR (6.7) behind Shohei Ohtani and Geraldo Perdomo, according to FanGraphs.
The Phillies secured a first-round bye over the Dodgers on Wednesday, an outcome that had been expected barring an unlikely collapse late in the season. As a result, Thomson’s primary concern has shifted toward maintaining player health ahead of postseason play.
“It’s always about health, but there’s a lot more focus for me on the health of the players, to strike that balance, to be able to win games, get in, get the bye, try to get the best record, and keeping people healthy,” Thomson said. “Not pushing relievers, position players, everybody. It’s always on my mind, but probably a little more so right now.”
Catcher J.T. Realmuto avoided serious injury after being struck on his right hand by a foul ball during Tuesday night’s game against Miami. X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with only a bruise.
“He’s super important to us,” Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez said via interpreter. “He’s one of the best catchers in the game. We’re basically nothing without him. So he’s just a key player and a key piece for all of us.”
Sánchez is scheduled to start both Sunday’s regular-season finale and Game 1 of the NL Division Series on October 4. The team also aims to keep left-handers Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo healthy as postseason approaches.
With Zack Wheeler out for the remainder of the season and no clear candidate for fourth starter—though Aaron Nola appears favored over Walker Buehler and Taijuan Walker—the Phillies are focusing on monitoring their roster through their final four regular-season games this week.
The coming days will determine if Turner can return in time to compete for what would be Philadelphia’s first batting title since Richie Ashburn in 1958 or if Kyle Schwarber can challenge Ryan Howard’s single-season home run record for the franchise.
