September 27: Turner will be activated for tomorrow’s regular season finale, Thomson said this evening (via Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer). He’ll be back in the starting lineup at shortstop to get some defensive work. The Phillies are locked into the #2 seed and will play one of the Dodgers, Reds or Mets in the Division Series.
September 25: Trea Turner has been sidelined since he strained his right hamstring on September 7. The Phillies have maintained for the past three weeks that they believe their star shortstop would be ready for the postseason. Manager Rob Thomson confirmed Thursday that’ll be the case, and the Phillies haven’t closed the door on Turner returning for their final regular season game or two (link via Matt Gelb of The Athletic).
“We want to make sure he’s 100 percent,” Thomson said of Turner’s chance of returning this weekend. “We know he’s going to be there for the playoffs. I think the work he’s done here has been very good. His timing is pretty good. … We’d like him to play, but is it super important? No. Not really. As long as he’s healthy.”
Philly has secured a first-round bye. They’re technically still in the running for the #1 seed, but that’s a long shot. They’d need to sweep Minnesota this weekend while relying on the Reds to sweep the Brewers. Activating Turner from the injured list would be about getting him a few tune-up plate appearances before the playoffs.
While the team’s success is obviously the top consideration, a return this weekend could aid him in a couple statistical categories. Turner is hitting .305, which puts him on track to win the second batting title of his career. Nico Hoerner was the only other qualified NL hitter above .300 entering play today, but he went 0-4 to drop to .299.
Turner may hang onto the batting title by default, but he’d probably need to come back if he’s to hold his league lead in hits. He’s still atop the Senior Circuit with 179 knocks, but Luis Arraez (176) and Hoerner (175) have pulled close behind while he’s been out. Turner has an outside shot to lead the majors in hits if he comes back tomorrow or Saturday. Bo Bichette, who is out with a knee sprain until the start of the postseason, has an MLB-high 181 hits. Bobby Witt Jr. pulled even with Turner for second place in a three-hit performance today. Turner led the majors in hits in consecutive seasons from 2020-21.
The three-time All-Star acknowledged that he’d like to win the batting title but noted to Gelb and other reporters that “the postseason is more important.” Turner has progressed to various baseball activities. He’s hitting against Phils’ minor league arms, fielding grounders, and running. Harrison Bader has moved to the top of the lineup in Turner’s absence. Bryson Stott was playing shortstop for a while but slid back to second base with Edmundo Sosa coming back from his own injury yesterday.
The Division Series begin next Saturday, October 4. Assuming the Phillies wind up as the #2 seed, they’ll line up for a potential first-round matchup with the defending champions. The Dodgers clinched the NL West and the third seed with a win today. They’d square off against the #2 if they defeat whichever of the Mets, Reds or Diamondbacks secures the last spot in the Wild Card round.
Yay!
Dude is all about stats and awards..He only stayed out to get the batting title in his resume. I wish hoerner would of passed him up.
Uh, what? This injury cost him an MVP.
He was never winning MVP.
Based on what? His NL-leading WAR at the time of injury? ‘Never’ misrepresents reality. Even if you thought he was behind, a hot finish could have sealed it.
You’re right, Ohtani had no chance of beating out Turner for MVP lol
Let’s not confuse the issue. Turner had a very real shot at the MVP prior to the injury. He didn’t miss time “to get the batting title,” as the first commenter in this thread suggested.
He didn’t even have an .820 OPS before the injury. Great season, but he’s not even the best NL shortstop this year.
@cplwhite – Tweedledum, I presume?
Dude sat out so he could win batting title , take Hoerner over him any day
Hoerner actually went 0-for-5 today, so his average is down to .297. Would have to go at least 4-for-4 on the final day to have a chance depending on how Turner does.
I sat out for a chance to take the batting title as well. But I think I’m going to be short on plate appearances.
There’s always next year!
Edit: In his time with the dodgers, Turner was a gamer. I don’t see him worrying about a batting title when he would want to be tuning up for the playoffs. Priorities.
Saying he “wasn’t worrying about a batting title” is a reach. If he’s that much of a competitor, he wants that batting title.
Win batting title
Win world series
Win baseball forum
I know I’m a competitive person. And I know what my priority would be. You can want to win at everything, and that’s ok. But ultimately you play to win the last game of the season.
And that’s why any team you’d run would lose.
I really hope he can come back and get eight Batz in the final two games to get rid of some of the rust. Even if he needs to be the DH and Kyle moves to left field.
What is this weird conspiracy theory that Turner sat out to win a batting title? Guy got hurt it happens.