Odúbel Herrera re-signing already looks terrible after latest injury news
Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera to miss 4-6 weeks with injury
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera is dealing with an oblique strain that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks, meaning he will likely miss most of the first month of the regular season.
Remind me why the Phillies re-signed him again?
His return was terrible when it was just a rumor. His deal, while only for one year and $1.75M (plus incentives), looks even worse now than it did before the injury became public this week.
Because why bring back a person who was once arrested and suspended 85 games for attacking his 20-year-old girlfriend? Never mind the fact that he underperforms for the team.
In May 2019, Herrera was arrested in an Atlantic City hotel room. Despite visible injuries to her arm and neck, his girlfriend later dropped the charges.
MLB gave him an 85-game suspension through the remainder of the season and the Phillies removed his banners from Citizens Bank Park and had his name struck from the All-Star ballot. All that, only to bring him back from the very free agency they sent him to last fall.
At the time, they called domestic violence “abhorrent and unacceptable;” less than two years later, it appears they’re willing to accept it.
Who will be the Phillies’ centerfielder in 2022?
According to manager Joe Girardi, centerfield is now up for grabs. Likely, the starting spot will go to rookie Matt Vierling, who has experience in all three outfield spots. The Phillies can also use Adam Haseley, who barely played last season before leaving the team due to personal reasons. Girardi effectively ruled out playing time for Mickey Moniak, the former first-overall pick who has struggled to stick at the big-league level.
The Phillies brought Herrera back on a club-friendly, low-cost deal to platoon with Vierling. It was a bad idea at the time, it’s even worse now.
