The Philadelphia Phillies are finally back stateside after their excursion across the pond for the MLB London Series this past weekend. While a split with the fumbling New York Mets isn't ideal, especially after having Sunday's game in hand with José Alvarado on the mound to close it out, at 45-20, the Phillies still have the best record in MLB.
More importantly, they have a 9.0-game lead on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Unfortunately for the Phils, they don't get to come home just yet. They're in Boston for a three-game series with the Red Sox followed by a weekend set at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles.
Phillies News: Trea Turner's timeline, Brandon Marsh, 2008 World Series reunion
Let's catch up on what you might have missed with all the excitement around the weekend's festivities in London.
Trea Turner is 'close' to returning
Shortstop Trea Turner was with the team in London, as he works toward a return to action from his strained left hamstring. According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Turner says he's getting close to returning. Now into week six of his recovery and rehab, he looks to be on track to return within the next week.
“I’m in the same place, but a little better,” Turner said on Sunday, per Zolecki. “In Denver, I was really tight. I felt like I could still feel my injury, where I injured it. Now it’s not that. I’m at that same threshold, running with the same intensity, but the feelings are different, which is a good thing."
Turner's running at 75-80 percent of full speed, and will attempt to finish his progression to 100 percent while in Boston. If all goes well, he'll be off the IL before we know it. In more good news, it doesn't sound like he's going to go on a rehab assignment before jumping back into the lineup.
Brandon Marsh spent the weekend in Lehigh Valley
Outfielder Brandon Marsh didn't get to make the trip to London with his teammates. Instead, he went to Lehigh Valley to get baseball activities in at the IronPigs' facility. According to MLB.com, Marsh, who strained his right hamstring on June 2, will either join the Phillies in Boston or head to Double-A Reading to continue his recovery.
His injury is reportedly less severe than Turner's and he's eligible to come off the 10-day IL on June 13, although there's no indication of a timeline for his return at this time besides "late June."
The 2008 Phillies had a reunion in London
The 2008 World Series champion Phillies team holds a special place in fans' hearts. A handful of alumni from that squad were in attendance for the London Series and had a mini-reunion.
MLB European Ambassador Chase Utley was obviously there, as one of the faces of MLB's promotion of the series. The Man was even involved in the ceremonial first pitch from Rob McElhenney, which turned into a double play with Bryce Harper, before Sunday's game.
Among the other Phillies greats to join the festivities in various capacities were Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels, who posed for a photo on the field at London Stadium before Game 1 on Saturday.
The mates from ‘08 pic.twitter.com/k9C6hMDKEM
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 8, 2024
While other 2008 Phillies Matt Stairs and Ryan Madson were also sighted out and about at various events over the weekend, the unofficial mini-reunion of the 2008 team was fun for fans to see and put a focus on the possibilities for this year's squad.