2023 World Baseball Classic: Trea Turner’s Grand Slam Send Team USA to the Semifinals

Ladies and gentlemen, Trea Vance Turner.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner’s grand slam in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the game winner as the United States defeated Venezuela 9-7 in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. With the win, the United States advances to a semifinal match up with Cuba on Sunday in Miami.

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Phillies Injury Update: Bryce Harper is Hitting Soft Toss!

The Philadelphia Phillies snuck in some injury updates on Thursday afternoon.  Perhaps the most important was the update on slugger Bryce Harper’s progress.  Spoiler alert, it’s progressing well! 

Harper, who is recovering from late-November Tommy John surgery, has moved from hitting off a tee every other day to hitting soft toss.  Another sign the slugger is inching closer towards returning from the injured list.  

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Phillies Update Andrew Painter’s Injury Status, Midsummer Return Expected

The Philadelphia Phillies updated the injury status of multiple players on Thursday afternoon including prized prospect Andrew Painter.  

Painter, 19, was shut down in early March because of discomfort in his elbow after his first Grapefruit League start.  The initial MRI showed a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain and a second opinion from renowned elbow doc Neal ElAttrache confirmed the injury.  While disappointing, the overall diagnosis was favorable for the young phenom. Tommy John surgery was not required and Painter would rest for a few weeks.  

We now have a potential timetable for Painter’s return to the mound. 

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Philadelphia Phillies Injury Updates: Suarez and Stubbs Progressing Towards Opening Day

Mar 12, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Israel third baseman Garrett Stubbs (21) hits a two-run double during the eighth inning against Nicaragua at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies updated the injury status of multiple players on Thursday afternoon including starting pitcher Ranger Suarez and backup catcher Garrett Stubbs.  

Suarez, who returned from the 2023 World Baseball Classic due to left forearm tenderness, played long toss on Thursday morning in Clearwater.  The Phils’ lefty will be re-evaluated on Friday, March 17 and will begin ramping up towards the regular season if he is pain free.  Phillies manager Rob Thomson told the media Suarez will be limited if he is deemed ready to go by the first week of the season. 

Stubbs injured his knee playing for Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.  A March 15 MRI revealed a sprained right knee, an injury that is not deemed serious.  The Phillies expect Stubbs to be completely healthy before Opening Day and to assume the backup role to J.T. Realmuto.  

In other injury news, the Phillies have shut down LHP Cristoperher Sanchez and RHP Nick Nelson with no timetable to return.  

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2023 WBC: Phils’ Pitcher Taijuan Walker Dazzles for Mexico

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Not all pitching news is doom and gloom for the Philadelphia Phillies this Spring!  Free agent acquisition Taijuan Walker had a dominant night on the mound for the Mexican National Team on Tuesday night in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.  The 30-year-old struck out eight and scattered one hit and one walk over four-innings leading Mexico to a 2-1 win over Great Britain.  

Walker’s eight strikeouts set a Mexican National Team single-game record for K’s in the World Baseball Classic.  The outing included Walker striking out five Brits in a row at one point. It was the first time Walker pitched for the Mexican national team.  Walker’s mother is of Mexican descent making him eligible to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.  

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Phillies Spring Training: Phils’ Rule 5 Draft Pick Shutdown

Feb 23, 2023; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Noah Song during photo day at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

More pitching woes have hit Clearwater.  Philadelphia Phillies Rule 5 Draft Pick Noah Song, who was recently reclassified by the United States Navy, is the latest pitcher to get bit by the injury bug.  

Song, 25, has been shut down by the team with back tightness and will likely be placed on the injured list when the season starts.  The righty has not pitched regularly for the past three years due to his military service forcing the Phils’ to take things slow with the Rule 5 pick.  Song will be placed back on the “Military List” and will be moved to the injured list when the season begins.  

As a Rule 5 Draft pick, the Phillies must keep Song on the active roster for at least 90-days or he needs to be offered back to Boston. Time on the injured list or on a rehab assignment doesn’t count towards Song’s time. 

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Phillies Spring Training: Ranger Suarez Returns from 2023 World Baseball Classic

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has left Team Venezuela and the 2023 World Baseball Classic after experiencing tightness in his left forearm. The righty will be shut down for a few days before trying to continue his throwing program. 

Relax, the Phillies and Suarez believe this is nothing more than a slight hiccup. 

The 27-year old didn’t receive an MRI exam because “it’s not a big deal,” according to Suarez.  

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Phillies Spring Training: Andrew Painter Diagnosed With UCL Sprain

It looks like the Philadelphia Phillies have dodged a bullet. Top prospect Andrew Painter underwent an MRI on March 3rd for his sore right elbow.  The imaging showed a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and the diagnosis was confirmed by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.  

The good news, Painter should be able to avoid Tommy John surgery.  

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Phillies Spring Training: Bryce Harper Expected in Camp This Week

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies are expecting All-Star Bryce Harper to report to Spring Training on Wednesday.  

Harper is currently rehabbing from late-November Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow.  The 30-year old was forced to play the majority of the season as the Phils’ designated hitter after injuring his elbow last Spring.  Despite the elbow injury –and a subsequent trip to the DL with a broken hand– Harper slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 HR, 65 RBI, and a .877 OPS helping propel the Phillies to the National League pennant.  

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Phillies Spring Training: Rhys Hoskins Underwent Meniscus Surgery in the Offseason

 Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has been noticeably absent from Spring Training, now we know why.  

According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Hoskins quietly underwent offseason meniscus surgery to clear up some “wear and tear” on his right knee.  The 29-year old has been cleared for baseball activities and is expected in the Phils’ lineup this weekend. 

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