J.T. Realmuto is Hurt? But J.T. Realmuto Never Gets Hurt!

Jun 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first base Rhys Hoskins (12) is tagged out at home by Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thompson is expecting to get star shortstop Trea Turner back on Monday against the San Diego Padres “unless something weird happens, according to ESPN.

Trea Turner has not played since May 3 for the Phillies due to a left hamstring strain. In the meantime the Phillies have built up a big lead in the National League East, sitting at 47-23 overall and eight games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Braves entering Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Unlike his first season with the Phillies in 2023, Turner got off to a blazing hot start in 2024, batting .343 in his 33 games before the hamstring injury. Turner will slot back into a lineup that is tied for sixth in MLB in wRC+, and he will only help. The Phillies could become a top-five lineup in baseball with him back in the lineup, which is scary given the performance of the pitching staff so far this season.

Luckily for the Phillies, they have played so well to the point that they have not been desperate for Turner to return. With a big lead in the division, Philadelphia can focus on staying healthy and adding some pieces at the trade deadline that will help in the playoffs. It helps that Edmundo Sosa filled in so well for Turner at shortstop as well.

Edmundo Sosa filled in nicely for Trea Turner

Thompson gave Edmundo Sosa credit for filling in as well as he did, making sure to speak on the value that he has after this chance to step in for Turner.

“He’s huge. I think for the last couple of years, probably the baseball world looked at him as a utility man. Now they’re looking at him like a shortstop,” Thompson said, via ESPN. “So his value is very high right now, as it should be because he’s played very well.”

On the season, Sosa is batting .280 with a .343 on-base percentage with five home runs for a 141 wRC+, according to FanGraphs. With Turner back, it will be tougher to find him playing time, but Thompson indicated that he could get some starts in the outfield.

“If he’s not playing every day, there’s nothing wrong with getting him some outfield work,” Thompson said, via ESPN. “Just to see what it looks like, just to get him comfortable

Knowing Sosa’s ability that he has showcased with the bat since Turner’s injury, it makes sense for the Phillies to try to give him as many at-bats as possible, so seeing if he could make it in the outfield could be a smart move. That might also eliminate the need for a trade for someone at the deadline, which would help save assets to help in other areas of the team.

Regardless, the Phillies are happy to have Turner back on Monday.