The Phillies are waiting on Luis Arraez’s left ankle with the regular season nearly at the tape, and the early read offered little comfort. An MRI on Friday brought discouraging news after Arraez was hurt in Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Brewers, leaving his status for Philadelphia’s final three games — and potentially October — unsettled.
An ankle injury at the wrong time
Arraez went down in the sixth inning Thursday while trying to get out of the way of a tag after a throw sailed wide of first base. He remained on the ground in visible pain before being helped from the field by a Phillies athletic trainer.
By Friday morning, the infielder arrived stiff and sore. Interim manager Don Mattingly said the MRI results were “kind of not a great one,” though the club had not yet defined a timetable.
- Arraez suffered a sprain to his left ankle in the sixth inning against Milwaukee.
- He underwent an MRI examination Friday morning.
- Mattingly said Arraez’s ability to play in the weekend series against Tampa Bay appeared unlikely.
- Arraez had not spoken publicly after exiting Thursday’s game.
Philadelphia’s immediate questions are practical ones: whether Arraez can take swings, whether he can be used off the bench, and whether any role is possible without asking him to run or play the field. Mattingly said the club would watch how the ankle responded to treatment through the day before making a larger call.
Roster decision carries October consequences
The Phillies had not placed Arraez on the 10-day injured list as of Friday, preserving the possibility that his ankle could improve quickly enough for him to contribute. That choice also reflects the calendar.
An IL move would make Arraez ineligible to return to the active roster until Oct. 5. That would rule him out for both the National League Wild Card Series and the NL Division Series, a steep price for a club trying to get into the postseason.
Mattingly indicated the decision would hinge on whether the Phillies reach a point where it is clear Arraez cannot play. For now, the organization planned to give the injury another day rather than move too quickly.
Phillies reshuffle against the Rays
With Arraez unavailable Friday night, Alec Bohm moved into the cleanup spot. Arraez had occupied the fourth slot since Philadelphia acquired him from San Francisco on Aug. 3.
- Alec Bohm batted fourth in the revised lineup.
- Bryson Stott shifted from third base to second.
- Edmundo Sosa took over at third base.
- The Phillies entered the Tampa Bay game needing a win and a Diamondbacks loss to the Padres to secure a National League Wild Card berth.
Arraez has supplied a different look to the lineup since arriving in Philadelphia. In 46 games with the Phillies, he has batted .278 with a .678 OPS. Before the trade, he hit .324 with an .800 OPS across 105 games for the Giants.
A stabilizing bat suddenly in question
Mattingly called the injury a meaningful blow because Arraez has brought contact, on-base ability and a steady presence to the middle of the order. A hitter who can keep innings moving is especially valuable when the club is trying to close out a playoff place.
The Phillies will see whether rest and treatment change the picture over the final weekend. But after the soreness Arraez showed Friday morning and the MRI’s discouraging report, Philadelphia is preparing for the possibility that one of its most reliable bats may not be available when the games matter most.
