TODAY: Hall and Pache will both begin rehab assignments at lower A-ball Clearwater this week, with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb tweeting that Hall will start action on Tuesday and Pache on Wednesday. Alvarado played catch today but didn’t throw his bullpen due to feeling “a little sore.”
MAY 26: After long-time first baseman Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL during Spring Training, the Phillies were left entering the season with a hole at first base for the first time in years. That appeared to open the door for Darick Hall, who impressed in 41 games last year, to take the lion’s share of the starts at first base this season, but Hall suffered a torn ligament in his thumb just six games into the 2023 campaign that required surgery, and has been on the shelf ever since.
Since then, the Phillies have relied on a timeshare between Kody Clemens and Alec Bohm at first base to acceptable but uninspiring results. In 22 games with the Phillies this season, Clemens has slashed a solid .241/.302/.483 that’s good for a wRC+ of 109. That wRC+ figure improves to 127 against right-handed pitching, with Clemens posting a much stronger .255/.321/.529 slash line against righties so far, albeit in a small sample size of just 56 plate appearances. Bohm, meanwhile, has slashed .269/.324/.409 with a wRC+ of just 99 in 204 plate appearances this season, though in 60 plate appearances against lefties, that slash line improves to a healthy .268/.300/.518 figure that’s good for a wRC+ of 115.
While a platoon of Clemens and Bohm has held down the fort capably at the cold corner so far this season, as the club’s wRC+ of 98 at first base this season ranks just 20th in the majors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggests that recently-released Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer could be a fit, though Hosmer has slashed an abysmal .234/.280/.330 in 100 plate appearances this season that’s 32% worse than league average in terms of wRC+. The Phillies have reportedly also considered using superstar Bryce Harper at first base as a way to open up the DH spot while protecting Harper from high-intensity throws in the outfield, though Harper has spent just a third of an inning at first base during his career to this point.
Fortunately for the Phillies, such drastic measures may not be needed at all, as MLB.com notes Hall could begin a rehab assignment as soon as next week, putting him on track to potentially return shortly after he’s eligible to do so on June 5. Hall, who slashed .250/.282/.522 with 18 extra base hits in just 41 games last season, could provide a significant boost to the club’s production at first base with a healthy return.
Hall is far from the only injured Phillies player who has received a positive injury update in recent days, as GM Dave Dombrowski has also expressed optimism that top prospect Andrew Painter and Rule 5 pick Noah Song will both pitch competitively this season. As noted by MLB.com, Dombrowski left open the possibility that Painter, who is currently throwing off a mound from 50-55 feet, could impact the big league club at some point this season. As for Song, he will of course have to be added to the active roster within 30 days of beginning a rehab assignment, and will shed Rule 5 restrictions after spending 90 days on the club’s active roster.
Meanwhile, both center fielder Cristian Pache and lefty reliever Jose Alvarado are targeting returns to big league action at some point next month, with rehab assignments expected for both players in the coming weeks, per MLB.com.
A long-time top prospect, Pache struggled badly with the bat during the first 126 games of his big league career, with a slash line of just .156/.205/.234 during that time. That brutal offensive production led the A’s to trade him to the Phillies just before the start of the 2023 campaign, where Pache got off to a hot start with a .360/.360/.600 slash line in 18 games before hitting the injured list with a torn meniscus at the end of April. An elite defender in center field, Pache figures to shore up an outfield defense that currently features Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in the corners flanking center fielder Brandon Marsh upon his return.
Alvarado, meanwhile, was placed on the injured list early this month with elbow inflammation after his own hot start to the 2023 campaign where he pitched to a 0.63 ERA in 14 1/3 innings of work. The 28-year-old Alvarado, who signed an extension with the club during the spring, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and figures to throw another tomorrow before progressing to facing live hitters on Tuesday. Once Alvarado returns, he figures to be an immediate factor in the club’s late inning mix alongside Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel.
Hosmer could help…with what? Carrying around the collection cap during home games.
Although I agree with you 13Morgs.
You better go Easy now. There are people here, who value a player that’s ‘the first one to jump off the bench’ to congratulate their teammates. And that same person will question your baseball acumen for knocking Hosmers value, for just that reason.
Typical Jon Heyman nonsense. He needed some page clicks for the day so he pulled something with no basis in reality out of the sky. Heyman provides as much value as a baseball writer as Hosmer does as a baseball player.
Paul Heyman would be more informative.
Kody Clemens already hits righties better than Hoz. He needs to hang ‘em up and go coach or broadcast. I can’t imagine a contender sees any value in adding a guy who has proven to be done. Just a name at this point.
4 paragraphs to say Hall is starting a rehab assignment soon? Phillies have it covered without knocking on Hosmer’s door – nobody’s home anyway.
Playing 1B is certainly having a effect of Bohm. Small sample size of 60 games, but he is hitting 30 points below his career average when hes at 1B.
The number of quality players returning soon is mind-blowing. The NLE will get even tighter.
Bohm’s career is short enough that no significant conclusion can be drawn from his BA, which is a poor way to evaluate a hitter anyway.
Hosmer is worse than the in-house options. As for the trade deadline, they clearly need starting pitching, so I think they’re stuck with what they got at 1B.
CJ Cron would be a huge add for any contender, imo.
Agreed and i could see the Phillies getting him even if Hall returns because you can never have too much offense and the Phillies lineup is LH heavy
CJ Cron would have been the Phillies no-brainer target, but unfortunately every single one of their starters is not playing well. They need starting pitching desperately., and I think all tradable assets should be spent on that.
I think the Phillies season hinges on a bounce back from Ranger Suarez which I expect. If that happens, Cron could be a good get.
Unforeseen struggles by Wheeler, Nola, Suarez, and Trea Turner really put a damper on things. I have confidence Turner will get going, but that pitching looks cooked. Maybe it’s the pitch clock adjustments, but this does not look like a playoff team in the early months. Plenty of time to prove me wrong.
Wheeler looked strong today! Hopefully, this is the start of something good for the rotation.
Von, the starting pitching will be fine. The bullpen will be fine. Turner will be Trea Turner at some point.
Cron or Hosmer? I’d opt for Hosmer. We have enough Ks in our line up so don’t need Cron. Besides his numbers being inflated by Coors, he hit below .200 in the second half last year.
I say Hosmer because I don’t think Hall is the answer. He’s another Schwarber, only without the walks.
Cron has not been very good this season. OPS+ of 79 before going on the IL recently. Certainly has potential to be above average like he was last season but not a sure-fire upgrade.
True ahh, and I might suggest his OPS+ was low because he was hurt. Either way, it shall be an interesting TDL (as usual!)
An OPS+ of 79 certainly isn’t encouraging, but it’s not a very big sample size.
The suitors for CWS SP at deadline will be considerable. PHI will be among them. As Von says – that’s the need. They will stop gap 1B. Hosmer is washed. Would drive fans batsht crazy when he lays an egg with runners in scoring position
Why limit to CWS starters? Detroit has Lorenzen and Eduardo. Cleveland might listen on a few of theirs. Some uninspiring teams might suddenly run sales, too. San Fran, San Diego, and NYY might have a pitcher or two available.
With the addition of the 3rd wild card team less of the .500 and sub .500 clubs are selling. Creates more buying competition for the “true sellers”.
Even though ERod has pitched well he’ll still be owed well over $50 million for the remaining 3+ years of his deal and will cost a decent amount of prospects as well as money and the more money the Tigers agree to pay the better the prospects they’ll want.
Giolito is going to be the deadline prize this season. Oakland’s entire inventory of starting pitchers will all be available and all have been varying degrees of awful (maybe Blackburn comes back and actually pitches well. The Giants are interesting because if they fall out of the race than Wood, DeSclafani and Cobb could all be available as well
The bigger problem with ERod is his ability to opt out after this season. If teams knew they’d be getting the next 3 years after this one in any deal they might be willing to give up a bit to get him if he continues to pitch well. But if he continues to pitch well it’s very likely any team trying to acquire him will only get a 2 month rental. That dynamic makes it very difficult to see any team making a push to trade for him.
I’m hoping CWS stay just thisclose to believing they have a chance to win the AL Central. Then they can keep this wonderful group together next year, for another ‘run’.
Yeah, I admit I wanted to see earlier what Hosmer could do in a Phillies uniform , but Bohm/Clemens is passable for now. Rhys is missed more than I thought, though.
1st base long term is a question for this team. But if they don’t get the starting pitching righted, it won’t make a difference.
Rhys, although awful with the glove, is one of the most underappreciated Phillies ever. Since the Phils are sort of stuck with a lot of bad fielders, I’m okay moving on from Rhys, but his bat and ability to take a ton of pitches is so valuable.
Weston Wilson has been hitting pretty well at AAA and plays both 1B and 3B and even though he’s 28 if given a chance could turn out to be another Patrick Wisdom.
The Phillies don’t have the luxury of giving W Wilson a shot at first base. The starting pitching doesn’t afford them to “be patient”, and gamble that a 28 year old prospect may be able to hit major league pitching.It is true that a right hand hitting bat, is needed, but as Von Hayes, correctly pointed out, starting pitching must take precedence over any other outside roster upgrades.
Absolutely, Von. Rhys is missed. He’s the epitome of that old adage, “You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it!”.
The thing about Hosmer is that everyone thinks they can catch lightening in a bottle with him–and he’s cheap. But he’s been empty AB’s for a year, he’s 33, and it’s not like he’s ever been the near-superstar his contract implied
So the Phillies have basically kidnapped Song, injured him, and will rush him back so they don’t lose him?
Thanks for serving your country, Noah.
How ridiculous.
Hate crime?
He’s getting MLB service time.
Kidnapped?
I’m sure Song is okay getting his MLB service time for nothing.
I’m sure he’s fine getting an MLB paycheck for nothing too. The best thing that happened to Noah song was getting selected by Dombrowski twice.
Be interesting to see who they ship out to accomodate noah song
Phillies need a 3B, not a 1B.
Offense isn’t the problem for the Phillies it’s their pitching. They are in danger of missing the playoffs with that rotation
I wouldn’t expect a miraculous Nola rebound. This is what he is now. Walker probably continues to struggle
A lot will depend on how good Suarez and Wheeler can be
Nola has been their best starter and he hasn’t been great.
Trade Abel or Hall for CJ Cron
No thanks.
Dave, don’t underdose on the meds!
I’m going to assume Hosmer is a Boras client
Jon Heyman is a not so hidden mouthpiece for Scott Boras, Hosmer’s agent and of course he’s going to opine that Hosmer could be a fit for the Phillies. Maybe so. But there’s nothing independent about Heyman’s consideration. He’s like a sock puppet on Boras’ hand. Boras is trying to look out for a client, that’s all.
What the Phillies are doing with Noah Song sucks… the guy was a super prospect before having to put baseball on hold for his military service and should be working in the minors right now trying to restart his baseball career. Not sitting out with phantom injuries or even worse and injury caused by trying to rush him onto a mound right away in Spring Training after years of not playing baseball. I get it… the risk/reward of scooping him in the rule 5 but it really isn’t doing him any favors at all and really sucks.
Or, just perhaps, he’s actually hurt.
Or, perhaps, he is NOT hurt…
The “cold corner?” LOL
Unfortunately for Hoskins he has the same injury at nearly the same age that curtailed Ryan Howard’s career.
Ryan Howard completely destroyed his Achilles and Hoskins blew out his ACL. Not the same injury, but I see your point that it could be very difficult to have Hoskins come back for any team and be the same player.
I am curious what Hoskins will get after missing the year with the ACL injury right before free agency.
Okay, it’s been awhile since I offered up my $.02c worth of opinion.
I started in spring training with the same word salad I do each spring. Arm, Arms, and then, more arms. Absolutely nothing has changed. Today, Wheeler was spectacular. However, Aaron Nola is not the the same guy we’ve seen. His velocity is down and it was never elite to begin with. His curve and change are still very good. But, he hangs too many pitches.
Instead of this team looking at bats, they need to do something about the rotation..Before, now, and in the future.
Nola will be fine. There are 29 other MLB who gladly would jump to have him. It’s only May. Still 2/3 of the season remains.
I never meant to give the impression I wanted to lose Nola..Even if he has lost anything, he is still one of the better pitchers in baseball..My intent was to convey the silliness of looking at a first baseman over arms.. My bad. Apologizing !
How many times can Mr. Deeds use “meanwhile?” And how many times can you use it properly, at the start of the sentence? Only once, apparently.
Meanwhile back in the year one.
Wow. Phils getting fisted by the first place Atl Braves, the team that didn’t sign anybody.
Thoughts?