Turner may not need rehab assignment, Marsh takes next step, originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
LONDON — The Phillies brought forward Trea Turner to London as he continues to rehab from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since May 3.
But Brandon Marsh (hamstring) and Cody Clemens (back spasms), who were placed on injured reserve on Monday, were unable to make the trip across the ocean.
The reason for taking Turner and not the other two was that, at the time the Phillies left for London on Wednesday night, Turner was allowed to participate in baseball activities, but the other two were not.
“The timing was terrible with Brandon and Clem,” manager Rob Thomson said three hours before Game 1 of the London series between the Phillies and Mets.
“I told them that they would not be able to do baseball activities and that if they arrived there with only two days off, it would hinder their return. They were disappointed but understood.”
Marsh is recovering. He was sent to Lehigh Valley on Saturday to begin baseball activities and will spend two days there. After that, he’ll either continue his rehabilitation by joining the Phillies for a series in Boston or do the same in Reading. The IronPigs are on the road early next week, so he won’t stay there.
Marsh explained earlier this week that his injury is less severe than even the most minor hamstring sprain and he will only be able to return to action on June 12.
Turner spent Saturday catching ground balls, hitting in front of the hoop and running on the soccer field outside London Stadium, because the Phillies wanted Turner to run on grass, not turf.
Turner will continue to work out in Boston, but Thompson did not give a timetable for his return. But Thompson said Turner may not be sent on a rehab assignment. The Phillies would be more comfortable with a rehab assignment after missing more than a month, but Turner has the right to decline. When asked if he thought Turner would decline a rehab assignment, Thompson smiled and said, “I think so.”
The Phillies were 22-11 when Turner was injured but are 22-8 since then. Edmundo Sosa has started 25 games during that span, batting .296/.360/.556 with four doubles, four triples, three home runs and 14 RBIs. He started at shortstop again Saturday against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea. The Phillies’ lineup on Saturday went 18-for-45 against Manaea for a .400 batting average with five doubles, five home runs and one triple.
