Cincinnati Reds’ Brandon Phillips makes his first appearance after injury—MLB Update
The Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips made his first appearance on Sunday, April 15, against the Washington Nationals as the team has been struggling with hitting. His coming back may have lent a helping hand to the offence at the right time.
Phillips who missed five games due to the cramp in his left hamstring was earlier reported to be playing on Sunday, which he did. The player went for 1-for-4 in the game which resulted in the team’s 8-5 win.
Nonetheless, as could be clearly seen, the player was not fully fit. It was in the seventh inning that he had to stop running in halfway down the line.
Much as it could be worrying for the team, it was as worrisome for the player too. He had his explanation for it.
"When I was pushing, I felt it grab and decided I should take my time for a little bit," Phillips said. "In the field, I had forgotten all about it."
Earlier, the hitters like Joey Votto and Jay Bruce did not seem much impressed by the team’s hitting. If Brandon Phillips indeed falls victim to some injury, it will be difficult for the Reds to maintain its supposed ascendancy in the offence.
As to what eventually transpires is something that no one can say with much conviction now. However, prior to the commencement of the game, the team manager Dusty Baker had his reasons to play Brandon Phillips in the finale of four-game series.
"With [Nationals starter Ross] Detwiler being left-handed, we probably won't try to steal that much anyway," Baker said before the game. "He has a pretty good move. [Phillips] is the best candidate. I talked to [Phillips] about it and he said he'd rather
bat leadoff. I told him to not do anything excessive."
How important Phillips for the offence can be gauged by the fact that in his absence, the team has four of the five games. It is for this reason that the team wants him to regain his fitness and come back to empower the offence when it is needed the most.
Tags: