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The Philadelphia Phillies are thanking their lucky stars that Bryce Harper’s elbow injury isn’t worse than what it is currently believed to be.
However, it doesn’t mean he’s going to return to the lineup any time soon, especially after the latest update. Harper wasn’t in the lineup for either game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Braves, and his return to the lineup is to be determined. He hasn’t even resumed swinging a bat yet.
“He’s doing better,” Rob Thomson told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “He still has swelling and is in pain. But it was a lot better than we expected. It’s making progress. … I wouldn’t put him in a game until he’s comfortable swinging.”
As a result, the Phillies are looking for options to fill his void. One choice is to reunite with Rhys Hoskins, who has found a resurgence this season with the Milwaukee Brewers.
So far this season, Hoskins is hitting .282 with seven home runs and 28 RBI. He’s producing a .843 OPS that translates to a 136 OPS+, which is well above league average. He’s having the best offensive season of his career so far.
Hoskins has been performing so well, he was even labeled as the Brewers’ early-season MVP by Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic.
If Hoskins were to return to the Phillies, they wouldn’t have to give up as much as they would for other players with the 32-year-old set to become a free agent at the end of the season. His former team would simply have to pay the remainder of the $18 million he’s owed this year.
Trading for Hoskins would also provide an overall boost to the lineup even when Harper returns and is completely healthy. The Phillies outfield has been lackluster all season, so Thomson could move Schwarber to left field while rotating Harper and Hoskins at first base. The other would serve as the DH.
Bringing back a fan favorite in Hoskins is a move that makes all the sense in the world for the Phillies to provide a spark in the lineup.
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