Blog

Jan 10, 2024

Phillies ‘relieved’ Bryson Stott OK after taking pitch to elbow; tight back keeps Bryce Harper at DH

When Bryson Stott took a pitch off the left elbow in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was worried. Stott was checked out by the Phillies

When Bryson Stott took a pitch off the left elbow in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was worried.

Stott was checked out by the Phillies trainers, but stayed in the game. He scored the tying run, driven home with Brandon Marsh right on his heels by Trea Turner’s walk-off single in a 4-3 victory. Stott didn’t turn out to need any time off at all, and remained in the lineup on Wednesday starting at second base.

“[I’m] really relieved. I thought he’d be sore today at least,” Thomson said. “But he said he feels pretty good, the training staff did a great job with it.”

» READ MORE: Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa proud of his native Panama team’s ‘special’ run in the Little League World Series

An injury to Stott would certainly be something to be worried about. He went 2-for-3 on Tuesday to record his 40th multi-hit game of the season, good for fifth-most in the National League.

Stott has also stood out at second base with eight defensive runs saved this season. He is responsible for 10 outs above average, according to Statcast data, a metric which measures how many more outs a player makes compared to a league-average fielder at his position. Stott ranks 16th in MLB in OAA.

Stott made just one out above average as a rookie in 2022, primarily splitting time between shortstop and second base. He’s seen significant improvement since making move to second base full-time after the Phillies signed Trea Turner to play shortstop.

“I had no concerns, because [Stott] played there when [Jean] Segura got hurt last year, and he played really well,” Thomson said. “And then when we came back from the World Series, we were in here cleaning out all our stuff, and packing up so I called him in and I said, ‘If we were to go out and get a shortstop this offseason, what would your reaction be?’ And he said, ‘Doesn’t matter to me, I can play anywhere. As long as I’m playing, it doesn’t matter to me.’”

Bryce Harper was in the lineup at DH for the second straight game on Wednesday and will not play in the field due to back tightness. Thomson said there is no long-term concern, and the team will re-evaluate after the off-day on Thursday.

“It’s just more precaution than anything,” Thomson said. “But it’s not affecting his swing. He’s turning it loose. So I’m just trying to make sure that he keeps hitting.”

Ranger Suárez, who was placed on the on the injured list with hamstring strain on Aug. 16, played catch today. The left-hander is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Friday, but Thomson said the Phillies have no definite timeline yet for his return.

Outfielder Cristian Pache, whose rehab from an elbow injury was paused last week due to hip tightness, was at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. Pache is set to return to triple-A Lehigh Valley to continue his rehab assignment on Saturday.

Taijuan Walker made his return to the Phillies’ rotation on Tuesday and threw five innings. Walker was hit by a comebacker in the fourth inning, but was able to remain in the game. Thomson said Walker’s body is feeling good, apart from forearm tightness that’s “not a problem.”