Rhys Hoskins injury update: Latest news as Phillies 1B carted off after suffering non-contact knee injury
The Phillies were already poised to defend their NL pennant without Bryce Harper for part of the season. Now their lineup may have lost another power-bat.
First baseman Rhys Hoskins was kicked off the field after suffering a non-contact injury in Wednesday’s spring training game against the Tigers, throwing a cloud over a team with championship hopes just a week before Opening Day.
Hoskins is one of baseball’s streakiest hitters, but he’s as prolific as any power hitter in the National League when he’s in the mood. The 30-year-old hit .246 with 30 homers, 79 RBI and .794 OPS last season and came through with some clutch homers for the Phillies in the postseason.
Hoskins, who was a free agent after the 2023 season, went into this year to build his value and make money next winter. Well, that could all be put on hold.
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Here’s what we know about Hoskins’ injury status after he crashed on Wednesday.
Rhys Hoskins injury update
Hoskins suffered what appeared to be a non-contact injury to his left knee Wednesday while playing a groundball against the Tigers.
Hoskins was trying to handle the ball just behind the dirt in infield when he fell into a heap and couldn’t get up. Medical personnel tended to Hoskins for several minutes until a cart pulled out to take him off the field.
The Phillies announced that Hoskins would be “subject to further investigation and testing,” but did not reveal details about the injury. Medical staff appeared to be looking at his left knee.
Interviewed during the game, Phillies manager Rob Thomson called Hoskins’ injury “worrying” but expressed optimism.
“Maybe it was more fear than pain. They said he walked around the clubhouse afterwards,” Thomson told NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Non-contact injuries have already troubled two NL contenders this spring, when Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux fell to the ground with a torn cruciate ligament in a non-contact game in early March and Mets closer Edwin Diaz fell during a post-game celebration Patella tendon rupture suffered the World Baseball Classic. Both are expected to miss the entire season.
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The Phillies will cling to hope that Hoskins’ injury wasn’t as serious as it looked, but tests should reveal the full extent of the injury in the coming days. Meanwhile, Darick Hall could be in line for a more significant role with Hoskins on the Regal.
Rhys Hoskins contract
Rhys Hoskins is under team control in his final season before going free next winter.
The six-year major league veteran agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract Jan. 13 and avoided arbitration with the Phillies.
Hoskins, a fifth-round draft pick in 2014, earned $7.7 million in 2022.