The Philadelphia Phillies began a crucial 10-day stretch on Monday by placing shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm on the 10-day injured list. Turner sustained a strained right hamstring during Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins, while Bohm was sidelined with left shoulder inflammation.
To address the roster changes, the Phillies recalled Otto Kemp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and selected infielder Donovan Walton to join the active roster. These moves came ahead of Philadelphia’s 1-0 win over the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies currently hold an eight-game lead over New York in the National League East and a 4½-game advantage over Los Angeles for the second and final bye in the NL.
Manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism about both players’ returns before postseason play. “We expect him to be back by playoff time,” Thomson said of Turner. “So actually it was better than what we were expecting.” Regarding Bohm, Thomson stated, “He’s been grinding with this left shoulder for a while now, fighting through it. So we decided to shut this thing down. We expect him to be back in 10 days.”
Turner described his injury as feeling his hamstring “grabbing” while running during Sunday’s game. He acknowledged that recovery timelines can vary: “I think the report I got today was a little more positive than we kind of thought [originally]. With these injuries, it’s kind of up in the air. You can guess a little bit, but sometimes it can go a little better or it can go a little worse. So just take it one day at a time.” He added, “As soon as possible obviously, but for the playoffs is most important. So trying to find that fine line of trying to get ready for that, but also not rushing it back and coming back for no reason.
“But yeah, shooting for the playoffs, if not hopefully a little bit earlier. But probably more toward the playoffs.”
First baseman Bryce Harper commented on Turner’s absence: “It’s tough. Any time you lose one of your premier players, obviously, it’s hard. Guys got to step up.” Harper filled Turner’s spot at leadoff on Monday’s lineup—the first meaningful game he led off since August 2019—going 0-for-4 at bat.
Harper discussed his move atop the order: “We just talked about it, and it’s something we kind of all wanted to try,” Harper said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Kyle Schwarber has typically been Philadelphia’s leadoff hitter since 2022 but has recently moved to hitting second in the lineup—a position where he leads the NL with 49 home runs and 120 RBIs this season.
“I think Schwarb gives Harp a little more protection hitting behind him,” Thomson said. “Schwarbs been in the two-spot all year, and he’s had his most productive year. They were all like, ‘Whatever you want to do, we’re good.'”
On defense, Edmundo Sosa will become starting shortstop in Turner’s absence; Bryson Stott may also fill in as needed. Kemp is expected to take most of Bohm’s innings at third base while Weston Wilson and Walton are additional options across both positions.
“We really have to pay attention to the health of our players, because this has cut into our depth,” Thomson said. “So we need to make sure we’re getting guys off their feet.”
With ace Zack Wheeler already out for the season since late August due to injury, Philadelphia is facing another challenge as they prepare for potential postseason play.
“Just everybody not trying to do too much,” Harper said. “Just being themselves and understand you can’t replace a Trea Turner. It’s just not possible. Just like you can’t replace a Zack Wheeler or anybody else.
“Everybody’s just got to do their job.”
