According to ESPN, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thompson expects star shortstop Trea Turner to return on Monday against the San Diego Padres “unless something weird happens.”
Trea Turner hasn’t played for the Phillies since May 3, due to a left hamstring strain. Meanwhile, the Phillies have established a commanding lead in the National League East, standing 47-23 overall and eight games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Braves heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Unlike his debut season with the Phillies in 2023, Turner started off hot in 2024, batting.343 in 33 games before suffering a hamstring injury. Turner will return to a lineup that is tied for sixth in MLB in wRC+, and his presence will only assist. The Phillies might become a top-five lineup in baseball with him back in the lineup, which is concerning considering the pitching staff’s performance this season.
Fortunately for the Phillies, they have performed so well that they have not been frantic for Turner’s return. With a commanding division lead, Philadelphia can focus on keeping healthy and adding some playoff-ready components at the trade deadline. It also helps that Edmundo Sosa performed admirably at shortstop in Turner’s absence.
Edmundo Sosa filled in admirably for Trea Turner.
Thompson praised Edmundo Sosa for filling in so well, emphasizing his value now that he has the opportunity to replace Turner.
“He is big. I believe the baseball world has viewed him as a utility player in recent years. “Now they’re looking at him like a shortstop,” Thompson told ESPN. “So his value is very high right now, as it should be because he’s played very well.”
According to FanGraphs, Sosa is batting.280 with a.343 on-base percentage, five home runs, and a 141 wRC+ this season. With Turner back, it will be more difficult to find him playing time, but Thompson suggested that he could receive some starts in the outfield.
“If he’s not playing every day, there’s nothing wrong with getting him some outfield work,” Thompson told ESPN. “Just to see what it looks like, just to get him comfortable.”
Given Sosa’s bat ability after Turner’s injury, it makes sense for the Phillies to try to give him as many at-bats as possible, so evaluating if he can play outfield could be a wise option. That might also eliminate the need for a trade for someone at the deadline, freeing up assets to aid other areas of the squad.
Regardless, the Phillies are pleased to have Turner back on Monday.
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