Another week has come and gone and we're somehow in June. Even more unbelievable is that we're already nine weeks through the MLB season. Time flies when you're having fun, and boy oh boy are the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans having fun.
After Friday’s win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies lead the majors with an astounding 40-18 mark, the best record in baseball. Even better is the fact that they've built and kept a nice cushion between themselves and the second-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Despite going 2-4 on the recent road trip, they ended on a positive note and are still 6.5 games up on the Braves.
Phillies News: Trea Turner's good news, Bryce Harper’s knee, Rafael Marchán returns
There's also good news from the Phillies infirmary this week, starting with a positive development in the Trea Turner hamstring saga.
Turner has been out since May 3 with a hamstring strain, and had a small setback last week, but it sounds like things are looking up again.
Trea Turner is trying to push his rehab to get back sooner after a minor setback
Shortstop Trea Turner had to take it easy for a few days this week when the team pulled back on his rehab when he reported feeling some soreness in his injured hamstring after some intense running.
The good news is that Turner is ramping up his baseball activities again. He hit in the cage and played catch in San Francisco, but base running was still on the back burner. As much as he wants to push to get back, the Phillies are being extra cautious.
“He’s looking to push,” manager Rob Thomson said this week, per MLB.com. “We’ve got to hold him back.”
There's still no word if he'll be ready to travel with the team to London next week.
Bryce Harper tweaked his knee?
If you noticed Bryce Harper taking his time getting down the first baseline in Wednesday's finale against the Giants, there’s a reason. Or a few reasons. After taking a couple of Kyle Harrison heaters up and in — plus the ensuing melee — Harper grounded out and didn’t hustle to first. It’s something that has happened a few times this year.
Before Friday’s game with the Cardinals, Thomson revealed that the first baseman tweaked his knee on an earlier swing in San Francisco.
“Well, the other day was on his first swing of the day he kind of, he didn’t tweak anything, he just felt something in his knee. He’s fine,” Thomson said, per Phillies Nation’s Tim Kelly.
“He’s probably taking care of some energy too at the same time,” Thomson added.
The good news is that Harper looked fine back at home on Friday, easily hustling out a third-inning double.
Rafael Marchán returns from the IL with a vengeance
After missing spring training and the early part of the season with a back injury, Phillies minor league catcher Rafael Marchán was officially activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 27. That's great news for the 25-year-old who has been battling back problems since being shut down early in the Venezuelan Winter League this past offseason.
C Rafael Marchan has been returned from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the IL, and optioned Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 27, 2024
Marchán began his rehab on May 14 in Single-A and was moved to Triple-A 10 days ago. In six games with the IronPigs during his rehab and after his activation, the backstop has been on fire at the plate, slashing .300/.400/.500 with a home run, a double and five RBI.
It looks like he's picking up where he left off in Venezuela. Marchán hit .333 with a .982 OPS in 32 games. Let's just hope he can stay healthy, as various injuries have derailed his development over the last few seasons.