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Phillies: 4 Players coming back from injury who can make a difference

By Gabrielle Starr |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Freddy Galvis #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides into third base on a ground out by Aaron Altherr #23 against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Freddy Galvis #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides into third base on a ground out by Aaron Altherr #23 against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies had an absolutely outrageous start to August, but now they’re floundering once again. Even Zack Wheeler had a rough start on Friday.

There’s hope on the horizon, though, as the Phillies have several players returning from injury who could be real difference-makers on this team. Even if these players aren’t significant upgrades, at this point in the season, they would provide more rest for the everyday players, and more versatility for Girardi’s lineups and bullpen.

Let’s look at four players who are expected to be game-ready in August and September…

Freddy Galvis could help the Phillies infield

Phillies fans are very excited for Galvis’ return, as the player was a homegrown talent who made his MLB debut in a Phillies uniform and played his first six seasons here.

Galvis considers Philadelphia his home, and has said repeatedly since the trade that he always felt he’d end up back with the Phillies. He was on the Injured List with a quad strain when the Phillies traded for him, but is expected to return before the end of August.

Prior to his injury, Galvis was hitting .249/.306/.414 with a .720 OPS, 12 doubles, a triple, nine home runs, 26 RBI, and a stolen base in 72 games.

He probably won’t be an everyday player, and will no doubt platoon with Didi Gregorius and other infielders, but Galvis is ready to make an impact.

Relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (58) of the Philadelphia Phillies (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports)
Relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (58) of the Philadelphia Phillies (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports) /

Sam Coonrod could help the Phillies bullpen

You can’t spell ‘Phillies bullpen’ without ‘Help,’ and that’s exactly what it needs.

Their 25 blown saves still lead MLB, and they have been atop this category for well over two months.

Sam Coonrod hasn’t pitched for the Phils since June 23, but had been generally solid to them prior to his last appearance, which is pretty high praise for a Phillies reliever at this point.

Over 11 appearances in April, Coonrod had a 1.50 ERA and held batters to a .167/.200/.333 line and .533 OPS. Seven of his ten appearances in May were scoreless, as were four of his six June games.

Coonrod is expected to be out until at least the end of August.

Seranthony Domínguez could help the Phillies bullpen

Seranthony Domínguez hasn’t pitched for the Phillies since 2019 due to injuries and eventual Tommy John surgery, but they hope he’ll be able to contribute by September.

In his debut season in 2018, Domínguez was excellent for the Phils, with a 2.95 ERA over 53 appearances, 24 games finished, and 16 saves (four blown). He struck out 74 batters over 58 innings, and only issued 22 walks over 231 batters faced. His first 12 appearances were all scoreless, and the Phillies went 37-16 in the games he pitched.

NBC Sports Philadelphia noted that Domínguez made history in 2018:

“Dominguez is the only reliever in recorded history (dating back to 1908) to record at least two outs and allow no runs, hits or walks in his first five major-league appearances.”

In 2019, Domínguez’s season ended in early June. He only appeared in 27 games and posted a 4.01 ERA, with 29 strikeouts and 12 walks issued over 24 2/3 innings. He’s been working his way back from injury ever since.

Domínguez signed with the Phillies as an international free agent at the end of their Golden Era in 2011. They haven’t won a division title since. How fitting that he could help them change that this year.

Matt Joyce (7) (David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports)
Matt Joyce (7) (David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports) /

Matt Joyce could help the Phillies outfield

Matt Joyce was transferred from the 10-day to 60-day IL at the end of July due to a lower back strain, but that doesn’t mean his season is over.

The move was most to make room for fellow outfielder Travis Jankowski, who was one of many Phillies sidelined by COVID-19 or contact tracing due to exposure to the virus.

Joyce hadn’t been particularly good when he was healthy, only hitting .100/.258/.240 with a .498 OPS (all career-worsts), with only five hits, a double, two home runs, and six RBI in 62 plate appearances.

However, Jankowski hasn’t been particularly helpful the plate recently; over 12 games in August, he’s hitting .162/.262/.216 with a .478 OPS. He’s only managed six hits in 37 at-bats, two doubles, and two RBI. Perhaps, Joyce can do better.

The 14-year veteran Joyce has only appeared in 36 games in his first (and likely only) season with the Phillies, who were clearly hoping he’d be able to return to the form he showed in his early Oakland A’s days, when he had a 25-homer season in 2017.

There’s still time.

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