Kyle Schwarber had a near-accident on Friday night while playing for the Phillies against the Marlins.
On Friday night, the Philadelphia Phillies trounced the Miami Marlins by a total score of 8-2. But during the game, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber had a near-accident.
Late in the game, Schwarber left the field due to back pain. But the Phillies slugger isn’t overly worried about it.
“I just wanted to leave the situation,” Schwarber mentioned, according to MLB.com. “I might take a break tomorrow just to ensure everything’s okay. Hopefully, I’ll wake up feeling better, and we’ll continue as usual.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson shared a similar view, stating, “Schwarber felt some discomfort in his back. We’ll reassess tomorrow, but it doesn’t seem serious,” as reported by Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The Phillies plan to monitor Schwarber’s condition throughout the weekend, aiming to prevent any significant injury. With the MLB season being demanding, minor discomfort is expected. However, Philadelphia remains cautious.
Schwarber and Thomson’s positive outlooks suggest that the Phillies’ designated hitter should recover without major issues.
Schwarber’s difficult 2024 season
The two-time All-Star Schwarber has had a difficult start to the ’24 season. Right now, he is only slashing.217/.320/.401/.722. With 59 strikeouts, Schwarber also has the most in the league.
Schwarber’s performance highlights a notable trend: while leading the league in strikeouts for the past two seasons, he’s managed impressive home run totals of 46 in 2022 and 47 in 2023.
He’s evolved into a player characterized by high-risk, high-reward outcomes at bat, often drawing walks, making him a quintessential “three-outcome player.” In 2024, Schwarber’s following a similar path, boasting nine home runs, 24 walks, and 59 strikeouts.
While Philadelphia desires more consistent performance from Schwarber, they recognize his elite power numbers, accepting the strikeouts as part of the package.
Currently, the Phillies simply hope Schwarber’s injury won’t keep him sidelined for long, eager for his return to the lineup.
Phillies playing well to begin ’24 campaign
The Atlanta Braves were initially favored to clinch the National League East, but there’s still time for them to rally and secure the division title. Currently, Philadelphia holds the top spot with a 27-12 record, boasting a two-game lead over Atlanta.
The battle for division supremacy promises to be intense, with both the Braves and Phillies posing as strong contenders for the World Series.
However, maintaining player health is crucial. The recent placement of star shortstop Trea Turner on the injured list underscores this point. Losing Schwarber, despite his batting inconsistencies, would undoubtedly deal a significant blow to the Phillies.
Thankfully, the optimism expressed by both Kyle Schwarber and Rob Thomson offers reassurance that the slugger’s injury isn’t severe. Nevertheless, Philadelphia will remain vigilant, closely monitoring Schwarber’s condition.
Regardless, Schwarber isn’t expected to take the field on Saturday against the Marlins. Nonetheless, Philadelphia aims to secure another victory against Miami, even in Schwarber’s absence. The game is set to begin at 4:10 PM EST.