Rob Thomson rewards Brandon Marsh after strong performance, gives update on Turner, Realmuto
WASHINGTON — Phillies manager Rob Thomson changed his mind on giving Brandon Marsh a day off.
With left-hander Mitchell Parker on the mound for the Nationals, Thomson planned to have the lefty-hitting Marsh sit on Sunday for Philadelphia’s opening-series finale at Nationals Park. Instead, he decided to reward the outfielder after a strong performance at the plate on Saturday. He’ll bat seventh and play left field in place of Max Kepler, while the glove-first Johan Rojas makes his first start of the year in center field.
“Well, it was going to be Marsh sitting, Kepler playing (in Sunday’s game) yesterday,” Thomson said. “Then Marsh swung the bat so well I just flipped it.”
Marsh went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored as the Phillies cruised by Washington, 11-6, on Saturday. It was an impressive bounceback after a brutal Opening Day for the 27-year-old. Marsh went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Thursday, looking overmatched against left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore and two lefty relievers in Jose A. Ferrer and Colin Poche. He was tasked with trying to bunt in key spots in each of his last two at-bats and was twice caught looking after failing to lay one down early in the count.
Saturday was much different for Marsh. He clubbed a three-run homer into Washington’s bullpen in right field in the seventh inning. He picked up two other hits, one against a lefty in Poche, and hit the ball at least 96 mph in all five of his at-bats. Marsh appeared more comfortable with the bat in his hands, and he’ll have a chance to keep it rolling on Sunday. He’ll likely now sit against left-hander Kyle Freeland with Kepler getting the start during the team’s next series versus the Rockies.
The Phillies (2-0) want to give Marsh chances against lefties to start this season. They know he can be a productive platoon bat, but he’ll need to prove he can be a true everyday regular. That will require better numbers against left-handed pitching. Since coming to Philadelphia in 2022, Marsh has hit .283/.362/.473 with 28 home runs in 867 plate appearances against righties; he has slashed .208/.283/.327 with four home runs in 228 plate appearances against lefties in that span while striking out 39% of the time.
Marsh has certainly received limited opportunities against southpaws as a Phillie, but he hasn’t proven he can find success in more of them either. Now is the time for him to produce to earn additional playing time down the line.
Latest on Turner, Realmuto
Catcher J.T. Realmuto (bruised left foot) and shortstop Trea Turner (lower back spasm) are both out of Sunday’s lineup, but Thomson said the Phillies are “shooting for” Monday’s home opener at Citizens Bank Park as a possible return date for both players.
Realmuto could potentially enter Sunday’s game for backup Rafael Marchan if an injury occurred, but he’s still feeling sore. Turner underwent treatment for his back. The Phillies will go for a series sweep of the Nationals without the two starters.