Tommy Joseph was one of the lone bright spots for the Phillies last year
Spring Training has not been particularly kind to Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph thus far.
Through 35 at-bats the former catching prospect turned corner infielder is hitting just .200 with two home runs and seven strikeouts.
Clearwater gave Joseph and the Phillies an even bigger bruise when the 25-year-old Joseph took a rising 93-MPH pitch off the side of his left hand.
With hardly any flinch Joseph took first base but later exited to receive X-Rays on his left hand.
Watch the video of Joseph’s injury here.
Later the Phillies announced the X-Rays found no break in Joseph’s hand, and that the diagnosis was a left-hand contusion.
Tommy Joseph had X-ray. No break.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) March 14, 2017
How long Joseph will be out for is unknown at this point in time, leaving the Phillies with a major question at first base with opening day just over two weeks away.
Should Joseph need to miss time in spring training, the Phillies will most likely continue to play Brock Stassi, who entered camp as a darkhorse fighting for a bench role. The career minor leaguer has impressed all who have seen him in Clearwater by hitting five home runs and toting a batting average over .400 in 30 at-bats.
Expect Stassi to be the Phillies primary left-handed bat off the bench this year, something that was a major question mark last month.
Philadelphia will travel to Tampa to play the Yankees for a 6:35 p.m. game at George Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday.