Long, painful week: Phillies’ Trea Turner HBP again, exits another game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner’s week has played out like a kick to the groin. Or at least a harder grounder, like Wednesday’s sensitive mishap.
On Monday against the Miami Marlins, Turner absorbed a hit-by-pitch to his right wrist, forcing him to sit out Tuesday’s game at Citizens Bank Park.
On Thursday, he opened the game against the visiting New York Mets by taking a pitch off his leg, causing a right calf contusion.
Turner remained in the game and opened the scoring on Alec Bohm’s RBI single to right field. He appeared to run gingerly and exited an MLB game for the second time this week.
It’s been a long, painful week for the former Silver Slugger.
Phillies’ Trea Turner enduring tough work week
A fan favorite, Turner’s fWAR ranks No. 7 among all qualified shortstops since signing with the Phillies in 2023, despite his offensive struggles this season. The three-time All-Star’s .608 OPS ranked No. 147 out of 157 qualified batters.
Struggling with his batting average this season, Turner’s mechanics have been cited for the season-long slump. A career .293 hitter, he was batting .223 in 296 at-bats this season.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly witnessed Turner struggle to run the bases Thursday and made a series of moves to counter the injury.
“He was having trouble putting pressure, pushing off,” Mattingly told reporters after the game. “And with (Trea), with the history, some hamstring and other things with his legs. I think he was having more trouble.
“Felt like he was a liability on defense, so he couldn’t really move. Hopefully, it’ll be a day off (Friday).”
With Turner out of Thursday’s 6-4 loss, Edmundo Sosa switched from left field to shortstop, while Justin Crawford entered the game to play center field, Brandon Marsh moved from right field to left and Derek Hill went from center to right.
Could this be a lineup Mattingly could go to if Turner’s long, painful week continues?
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