Trea Turner gets a day off for Phillies; Nick Castellanos to start on Sunday
MIAMI — Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is out of Saturday’s lineup for a scheduled day off, manager Rob Thomson said.
The three-time All-Star will be on the bench for some rest as Philadelphia takes on the Marlins in the second of a three-game series at loanDepot park. Utility infielder Edmundo Sosa will play shortstop in Turner’s place while designated hitter Kyle Schwarber will be the leadoff batter.
“We had planned this,” Thomson said. “Just get him off the turf for a day. He was on base four times last night, so just get him through this.”
Turner, 32, has played 139 of 141 games this season and currently leads the National League with 178 hits and a .305 batting average after his four-hit performance in Friday’s 9-3 win. The right-handed hitter has an .812 OPS, which would be his best in three seasons as a Phillie, and 36 stolen bases, already his best mark with the club. He also has a 6.5 fWAR, fueled in large part by his tremendous improvements on defense.
Despite Turner batting .375 in 40 at-bats against Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, the Phillies decided to give him a breather. He’s had hamstring issues in the past, but he’s looked extremely healthy and effective. The team wants to keep that going.
“He’s taking care of himself,” Thomson said. “His legs get sore every once in a while, like everybody’s does. But he’s been holding up great.”
The Phillies (82-59) will “probably” rest another regular on Sunday in Harrison Bader, Thomson said. Right fielder Nick Castellanos, who has been platooning with Max Kepler, will start in the series finale after sitting the first two games in Miami and in four of the last five games in total. The Phillies could slide Brandon Marsh into center field on Sunday and play either Kepler or Weston Wilson in left field.
“I wanted to play Nick tomorrow anyway, because he’s going to get Monday to play,” Thomson said. “I didn’t want him to go four days without getting an at-bat, so it actually works out pretty good trying to get maybe Bader off his feet.”