An injury sustained during spring training might give a Phillies veteran a larger role to start the season.
One week into Spring Training, the Philadelphia Phillies already had to change their plans for Opening Day. Wesley Wilson is likely to miss the next six weeks due to an oblique injury, which leaves the back end of Philadelphia’s bench in a precarious position.
The injury may result in some of the established veterans playing a bigger role, but it has a more immediate impact on guys competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Since the beginning of Spring Training, there has been talk of switching up the lineup, but it may be the end of a platoon that has made Phillies fans go crazy throughout one player’s tenure in Philadelphia.
After the Phillies’ early injury, Brandon Marsh may get more at-bats against left-handers.
Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer explored the idea that Wilson’s injury during Spring Training would result in increased at-bats for Brandon Marsh against left-handed pitching. Since Marsh has only made 200 plate appearances versus left-handers in the last two seasons, the Phillies’ desire to see him in a larger sample against left-handed pitching has not materialized.
Marsh hasn’t encountered many left-handers for a reason. In 110 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching in 2023, the 27-year-old batted just.229/.321/.396 with three home runs and 16 RBI, and in the previous season, he hit.192/.270/.282 with one home run and eight RBI. It also explains why, since joining from the Los Angeles Angels, Marsh has only made 34 starts overall versus lefties, including 16 last season.
However, Lauber pointed out that Wilson’s injury may force Philadelphia to make a decision and have Marsh try to overcome his ineffectiveness against southpaws.
“They don’t have many right-hitting outfielders to share time with Marsh, for starters,” Lauber noted. Wilson’s injury could make it easier for Johan Rojas to maintain his position on the team as Marsh’s center field platoon partner. Additionally, the Phillies want to extend their outfield look at infielder Edmundo Sosa. Additionally, a trade later in Spring Training is always a possibility.
Or, you know, by getting a few more hits against lefties, Marsh might simply push his way into the lineup every day. Allowing him to play more lefties early in the season would also be beneficial, according to [Phillies manager] Rob Thomson.
After finishing with the third-highest OPS in MLB against left-handers previous season (.783), the Phillies could have some leeway to adjust their order. However, while facing a southpaw on the mound, Thomson also doesn’t want to start a black hole.
It draws attention to Marsh’s success against left-handers and may have a significant impact on who is selected for the Phillies’ Opening Day roster when they travel to play the Washington Nationals on March 27.
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