Let’s see Phillies manager Joe Girardi handle this mess

The Philadelphia Phillies slide towards a significant problem began with an odd occurrence related to a player already considered by some a problem. Adam Haseley, one of two platooned centerfielders, took leave from the team because of “personal reasons.” That was Apr. 14.

At the time, little thought was given to this. Haseley had been only 4-for-21, had seemingly regressed as a fielder, and many fans wanted to see the Phillies apparent centerfielder-in-waiting, Mickey Moniak, a first overall draft pick. Moniak was called up to replace Haseley.

Will Phillies manager Joe Girardi be able to manage his way out of a plague of player losses?

Or wait – did this all start with a twinge reliever Archie Bradley felt way back on Apr. 8, a Phillies off-day, that eventually landed him on the injured list on Apr. 11. Like Haseley’s matter, Bradley’s injury (an oblique strain) seemingly came out of nowhere.

On paper, Bradley was seen as a more important piece on the Phillies game board. Well, two down then….

However, in somewhat short order, Philadelphia also lost two left-handed pitchers, one a struggling starter, the other an effective reliever (so far), and a reserve infielder to COVID-19 protocols. They were followed by the starting shortstop, Didi Gregorius (strained elbow), and finally, the starting second baseman, Jean Segura (strained quad).

This was all “accomplished” by Apr. 20. When they hit the IL, Gregorius and Segura were hitting .296 and .333, respectively. Segura’s loss required the recall of a player not ready for prime time (still) from the Triple-A site – Scott Kingery.

As the saying goes – YIKES!!!

On the day Bradley felt a twinge not playing baseball, the Phillies were 5-1; on the day the team lost Segura – before play – they were 8-9. On Apr. 21, they won on a walk-off RBI single by reserve catcher Andrew Knapp, and hit an off-day Apr. 22 back at .500.

Boy, that Joe Girardi must be pushing all the right buttons just to keep the team afloat, huh? Well, yes, and no. There seems some good luck involved as well – so far.

Bryce Harper suddenly heated up to white hot – as this is typed he’s hitting .357 with an OPS of 1.118.

Nominal ace Aaron Nola threw the first nine-inning complete game of his career Apr. 18, a two-hit shutout off St. Louis. And the minor league infielder given some starts at short, Nick Maton, played well in the field and hit .417 in his first three games. Even Moniak, off to a 0-for-12 start, finally homered.

Maybe GM Sam Fuld or the minor league staff deserves credit for the Maton early success. (The 24-year-old is not expected to hit .400 in The Show this year.)

The point is that Phillies manager Joe Girardi will have to keep brilliantly selecting his Knapps and Matons in the long run if the Phillies don’t shake the injury bug – no, make that an injury swarm.