The Philadelphia Phillies have lost first baseman Darick Hall due to a thumb injury that he sustained during Wednesday’s game against the New York Yankees. The team will be without Hall for a significant amount of time, as he is set to undergo surgery for a torn ligament in his right thumb. This comes as a major blow for Hall, who had received the biggest opportunity of his career in a starting role with first baseman Rhys Hoskins out for the season.
Phillies’ Plans for Replacing Darick Hall
In Hall’s absence, the Phillies have called up Kody Clemens from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Clemens will play at first base and bat eighth in the lineup for the Phillies. Although he is a lefthanded-hitting utilityman who was acquired by the Phillies in January for Matt Vierling and Nick Maton, Clemens had an impressive spring training and is expected to get the bulk of the starts against righthanders.
However, there are concerns about other options like Dalton Guthrie and Scott Kingery as replacements for Cristian Pache, who has been ineffective offensively while filling in at center field after Brandon Marsh sprained his left ankle. Pache may be cut from the team altogether, while Guthrie and Kingery are righthanded-hitting options in center field.
Timeline for Darick Hall’s Return
There is no official timetable given yet for Hall’s return, but he plans to start rehabilitation as soon as the sutures close after surgery. The decision to try to stretch a hard-hit single to deep right field into a double cost Hall months of playing time, as he aims to return at some point in 2023.
Bryson Stott has moved up in the lineup to help split up righties and lefties in Hall’s absence, as he is one of the Phillies’ top offensive performers so far this season. The Phillies will figure out how to replace Hall against lefties, possibly by moving Alec Bohm to first base.
Other Injury Concerns for the Phillies
The injury bug seems to have bitten the Phillies as they head into their first homestand of 2023. Darick Hall sprained his right thumb sliding into second base and may be IL-bound, while center fielder Brandon Marsh sprained his left ankle the night before while catching a fly ball. Andrew Painter is on the 60-day injured list due to a sprain in his right elbow and has not picked up a baseball yet. Ranger Suarez is making progress after not pitching in a game since March 8 and will require a minor-league rehab assignment.
The Phillies star Bryce Harper continues to recover from offseason elbow surgery and there is no timeline for his return. With multiple key injuries plaguing the team, the Phillies will need to rely on their depth to weather the storm and remain competitive in 2023.
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