Philadelphia Phillies Aren't Ruling Out Rhys Hoskins' Return For Postseason Run

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night, increasing the likelihood that first baseman Rhys Hoskins makes his long-awaited return in 2023.

Hoskins, who tore the ACL in his left knee in March, took batting practice and ran the bases at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. There is less than a week left in the regular season, but the Phillies could be playing for another month if they make the World Series for the second consecutive year.

Manager Rob Thomson didn't rule it out Hoskin's return in October when asked about his status on the WIP Morning Show on Wednesday.

"I think there is (a chance). This guy's making a lot of progress. Now, he's gotta go through a lot more testing with the training staff and with the doctors, but he is now hitting on the field. He's taking 75, 80, 85 swings a day. He ran the bases the other day. He's really making a lot of progress, and it's really remarkable to think that we do have a chance to have him back, maybe by the World Series. It's not out of the question. It would still be ahead of schedule, I would say, but I don't think it's out of the question."

Rob Thomson gave us an update on Rhys Hoskins and the likelihood he will return in the postseason: pic.twitter.com/hmXUSBM5Qb
— WIP Morning Show (@WIPMorningShow) September 27, 2023

Hoskins led the Phillies in hits, home runs, RBI, runs, walks and total bases from his MLB debut in 2017 through 2022. The slugger averages 36 home runs, 36 doubles and 98 RBI per 162 games for his career, all while hitting .242 with an .846 OPS.

Prior to the Phillies' World Series run last fall, Hoskins had never appeared in a playoff game. While he only hit .159 with a .640 OPS over the course of the 2022 postseason, he did rack up six home runs as 12 RBI in 17 games.

Hoskins slugged a team-leading four home runs with seven RBI in the NLCS against the San Diego Padres, putting up a 1.189 OPS over the course of the five-game series.

The Phillies – even with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh anchoring the lineup – would surely love to have Hoskins around for the playoffs again in 2023.

Hoskins, 30, is due to be a free agent this winter.

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