The Philadelphia Phillies enter Thursday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers with the best record in baseball and the largest run differential in the sport. They will close out the first half of the season at home against the Oakland Athletics this weekend before heading into the All-Star break.
Like many other teams around baseball, the Phillies have been bitten by the injury bug in the first half of the season. Losing players like Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper for any amount of time could have had a detrimental impact on the club. However, the Phillies have been able to stay the course.
Phillies News: J.T. Realmuto's knee, Taijuan Walker throws, David Dahl says goodbye
With the return of Turner, Schwarber, and Harper, the club is still waiting for Realmuto and Taijuan Walker to return from their respective injuries. In that process the team had to make some decisions with roster moves and Kody Clemens and David Dahl took the fall.
There is some good news on the injury front in that Realmuto and Walker are progressing in their rehabs and could be back sooner rather than later.
J.T. Realmuto could be back shortly after the All-Star break
Realmuto has been sidelined since June 11 after undergoing surgery to repair his meniscus. During that time, Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan have combined to cover the catching duties. While both have filled the spot to the point where the club has not lost much ground, getting their starting backstop in the lineup will undoubtedly inject more fuel into the Phillies' lineup.
The 33-year-old catcher has been progressing from his knee surgery. He has taken swings in the cages, taken batting practice on the field, worked on drills behind the plate and has been running. He will likely return after the All-Star break; however, manager Rob Thomson has not ruled out a return beforehand.
The Phillies will not rush Realmuto back, but he is one of the toughest players in the game. The original timeframe for his return was about a month, and that time is here. Given the amount of movement and stress on a catcher's knees, the club will likely opt to err on the side of caution so that their starting catcher is fully healthy heading into the second half.
Taijuan Walker threw a bullpen session this week
Walker went on the injured list with index finger inflammation at the end of June. The location of the inflammation had been affecting his ability to throw his splitter, his most effective pitch. After taking some time off from the pitch and just throwing fastballs, the right-hander threw a bullpen session on Wednesday which included his out pitch.
“He looked good to me. His splitter looked good," Thomson commented on his starter's session.
Before being shelved, Walker struggled to pitch effectively at times. He currently has a 5.60 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 53 innings. Perhaps the discomfort in his finger had something to do with his rough start.
With Spencer Turnbull being sidelined due to a shoulder injury and Zack Wheeler leaving his most recent start with back tightness, getting Walker back after the All-Star break could provide some needed depth to the Phillies' starting rotation. He is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Saturday.
David Dahl elects free agency after clearing waivers
Dahl was designated for assignment on Tuesday when Schwarber and Harper were activated from the injured list. After clearing waivers, the ex-Colorado Rockies' All-Star decided to become a free agent in lieu of heading to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
In his short stint with the Phillies, Dahl appeared in 19 games and slashed .207/.242/.397. Other than coming up with some big home runs, the outfielder's time was relatively unproductive. If he has a chance at a starting role, perhaps he will see more success at the plate.