Philadelphia Phillies’ Hunter Pence to undergo MRI – MLB News
One of the two regular players to feature in the first game of the day-night double header for Philadelphia Phillies against Washington Nationals on Tuesday, September 20, Hunter Pence was scratched from the second game even after expressing strong intent
to continue playing.
Pence limped around the bases after a single in the first inning but refused to return to the dugout, even after the training staff asserted him to return. He continued for five more innings before finally walking out in the sixth inning under immense pain.
Where Shane Victorino, the other regular player in the line-up, failed miserably, Pence produced two hits from his three at-bats to articulate his tremendous form for the season. So far, the right outfielder has produced 183 hits in the season and has scored
78 runs to add to his 90 RBIs. Pence has registered 20 home-runs this season, which magnify his importance in the line-up for the playoffs, especially when the offensive side is not as strong as pitching.
Manager Charlie Manuel expressed that he wanted Pence to play the second game but the team doctors did not prefer this decision, even though Hunter wanted to play.
After thorough examination, doctors have diagnosed Hunter with patellar tendinitis in left knee and have advised a precautionary MRI to rule out any serious concerns. Pence, however, ruled out apprehension and said, “I don’t even really like to talk about
it because there's a difference between injuries and being hurt. Pain is something that you deal with and you don't talk about. It's not that big a deal.”
Pence further added that this is one injury he has dealt with throughout his professional career and remains upbeat for his first-ever postseason stint. He has played every game for the Phillies since his arrival to Philadelphia from Houston Astros on July
30 and aims at playing the remaining games in the regular season, especially the last five, where Manuel is expected to play his full line-up.
Phillies are renowned as a pitching powerhouse in the Majors and will seriously require Hunter’s services in the playoffs to add balance to the line-up. It will be interesting to see what the reports suggest though.
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