Phillies Hit With Litany Of Injuries In Camp
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Spring training has been far from smooth for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Injuries have continued to pile up, almost to the point of being concerned.
Promising 19-year-old right-hander Andrew Painter suffered a sprained UCL in his right elbow. Painter had been in the mix to become the team’s fifth starter. That still could happen, but it won’t be for a while.
Ranger Suarez suffered tightness in his left forearm and left early from Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. It doesn’t appear to be serious, but it’s unlikely that Suarez will be ready for his first regular season start.
Christopher Sanchez is struggling with tightness in his left triceps and Nick Nelson has a strained left hamstring. Nelson will open the season on the injured list.
Noah Song has been shut down temporarily with back tightness.
“We just have to be careful with our guys,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Other people have to step up.”
Catcher Garrett Stubbs also had right knee soreness and vacated Team Israel at the WBC. Stubbs had a magnetic resonance imaging test, though results weren’t announced.
Rafael Marchan, another backup catcher, hasn’t played since March 7 because of a bruised right hand.
Oh, and don’t forget Bryce Harper, who’s out until about mid-July while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
That’s quite an injury list as the 2023 regular season inches closer.
Every team has contingency plans and the Phillies do too.
The good news is that the season hasn’t started. There’s still plenty of talent on this stocked roster.
One player’s injury means an opportunity for someone else. It could turn out to be a blessing in the long run. At least that's what the Phillies are hoping for.
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