Category: News & Rumors

Rhys Hoskins Set for Surgery on Opening Day

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is set to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery on Thursday, the team announced.  Hoskins injured the knee attempting to make a play during a Grapefruit League game on March 23.  Recovery time for an ACL reconstruction is 6-to-12 months. 


Hoskins, 30, has likely played his final games in Phillies pinstripes.  The Phils’ 5th round draft pick in 2014, Hoskins is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023 season.  The team had made no attempts at extending the righty slugger prior to the injury. The Phillies are the only team Hoskins has played for.  

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Millville’s Mike Trout to Open a Golf Course Designed by Tiger Woods in South Jersey

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment
Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout enjoying a Philadelphia Eagles game because the Halos are never in the MLB Postseason. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Millville, New Jersey – about 45-miles as the crow flies or something like that southeast of Philadelphia– native Mike Trout is getting into the golf course game.  

The Los Angeles Angels slugger is joining forces with Tiger Woods (you might’ve heard of him) and bringing an 18-hole golf course to Vineland, New Jersey.  “Trout National” will reportedly include an 18-hole course, a clubhouse, restaurant, hotel, and wedding venue.  The facility is set to open in 2025 according to a press release.  

A few things here…

Trout is playing with fire bringing this golf club to Vineland, the sworn enemy of the hometown Millville Thunderbolts!  

Continue reading “Millville’s Mike Trout to Open a Golf Course Designed by Tiger Woods in South Jersey” →

Phillies Spring Training: Scott Kingery, Others Reassigned Ahead of Phillies Final Roster Reveal

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment
Feb 25, 2023; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Scott Kingery (4) at bat during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Well, Scott Kingery won’t be making the Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day roster.  The Phils reassigned a slew of players including Kingery before Monday’s Grapefruit League game against Toronto. 

Kingery slashed .340/.415/.447 with a homer, two stolen bases, and four RBIs in 47 Grapefruit League at-bats in a bid to make the Big Club as a bench piece.  The 28-year old former 2nd round draft pick showed versatility playing multiple positions for the Phils during the Clearwater season.  

But alas it was not enough to rejoin the team. 

Continue reading “Phillies Spring Training: Scott Kingery, Others Reassigned Ahead of Phillies Final Roster Reveal” →

De La Cruz, McCollum Earn Minor League Spring Training Standout Awards

~ Paul Bowman ~ Leave a comment

Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies player development team announced on Sunday the recipients of the Bill Giles and Larry Rojas awards for 2023.

The awards are given to the minor league players in the Phillies organization who stood out the most during Spring Training.

The 2023 recipients of the award are right-handed pitcher Tommy McCollum and outfielder Carlos De La Cruz.

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Phillies, Aaron Nola Shut Down Contract Extension Talk Until After the Season

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment
Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA

The Philadelphia Phillies and star pitcher Aaron Nola have shut down contract extension discussions until the end of the season according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey.  Phils’ president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and Nola’s agent Joe Longo confirmed the report with both sides issuing statements. 

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Phillies Spring Training: Ranger Suarez Suffers a Setback, Opening Week Debut in Doubt

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 2 Comments
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Uh oh.  Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has suffered a setback in his return from injury according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.  Suarez, who has been out of action since feeling pain in his left forearm during the World Baseball Classic, experienced inflammation in his left elbow prior to a scheduled bullpen session on Wednesday.  There is no structural damage according to the team. 

Continue reading “Phillies Spring Training: Ranger Suarez Suffers a Setback, Opening Week Debut in Doubt” →

Dombrowski: Bryce Harper Not Headed to the 60-Day IL

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 2 Comments
Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper will not start the 2023 regular season on Major League Baseball’s 60-day injured list, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Sports Radio 94WIP on Tuesday. “We’re going to keep our options open,” the Phils’ president added, leaving the possibility of a Harper return before June looking like a possibility.  

Well, that’s quite an exciting and unexpected development as the Phillies time in Clearwater comes to a close.  

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

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

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!

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

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

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

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. 

Continue reading “Phillies Update Andrew Painter’s Injury Status, Midsummer Return Expected” →