Apr 7, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) celebrates with shortstop Trea Turner (7) after hitting a two RBI home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
J.T. Realmuto (left foot) is back in the lineup for the Phillies' home opener against the Colorado Rockies Monday, but Trea Turner (back) remains out.
Home sweet home#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/G5NFgYNenm
Rob Thomson suggested that may be the case after Sunday's loss to the Washington Nationals in which both were out of the lineup.
Turner swung the bat and played catch during the game Sunday, while continuing to receive treatment. But with a scheduled off day on Tuesday, Thomson said he may give Turner an extra day Monday, which is what it appears he's decided to do.
Thomson was asked pregame Monday whether Turner could potentially be available as a pinch hitter.
"We'll see," Thomson said. "He's gonna hit and throw and go hit in the cages. And then we'll see as the game progresses."
But Turner is making progress?
"Yeah, he feels better [than yesterday]," Thomson said. "If we don't use him today, that gives us two full days, and hopefully [he'll] be ready to go Wednesday."
Turner's back tightened up on him pregame Saturday, which led to him being scratched after initially being in the starting lineup. He revealed after the game that he had some right hip/back discomfort later in Spring Training, although Thomson didn't seem particularly concerned from a long-term perspective when he addressed that Sunday morning.
"The reports I had were that it wasn't bad," Thomson said. "It was just a little bit tight and then it really tightened up yesterday."
Realmuto fouled a ball off of his left foot in Saturday's 11-6 win over the Nationals and departed early for precautionary reasons. Rafael Marchán got the start in Sunday's loss.
