Tuesday, February 25

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- If you needed to name a frontrunner for the Phillies’ fourth and final bench job this spring, it would have been Weston Wilson.

He can play the infield and outfield. Most importantly, he hits right-handed.

But Wilson suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on Friday taking a swing in the batting cage at BayCare Ballpark. He will miss at least the next six weeks, ending his chances to make his first Opening Day roster.

It widens the Phillies’ bench competition.

“It’s very frustrating,” Wilson said Sunday morning at BayCare Ballpark. “I spent a lot of time this offseason getting my body in the best shape possible. Just a freak accident. I didn’t feel anything before, so, like, nothing warning me. Disappointment, I would say, is the biggest word. It sucks. I was really looking forward to starting the year. I felt really good about breaking with the team.”

Wilson had an excellent chance because the Phillies feature a left-handed-heavy lineup.

He would’ve provided balance.

So, now what?

Edmundo Sosa is a lock to make the team. The Phillies will play him in the outfield this spring. If he fares well and if the Phillies are comfortable with it, he would give them another right-handed-hitting outfielder.

Johan Rojas is likely to make the team as the fourth outfielder.

Rafael Marchán or Garrett Stubbs will be the backup catcher.

For the last spot, the only remaining candidates on the 40-man roster are Buddy Kennedy, Kody Clemens and Cal Stevenson.

Kennedy’s odds improved quite a bit because he hits right-handed. He also is working in the outfield this spring. Kennedy and Clemens are out of options, which will be a factor as the Phillies finalize their Opening Day roster. Clemens and Stevenson both hit left-handed.

Clemens plays both the infield and outfield, which helps. Stevenson only plays outfield.

"Buddy comes into play a little bit more now,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday. "If Sosa can play the outfield, maybe it's a left-handed bat. I think we've got some options still."

The Phillies could acquire a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder in the coming weeks, too. They got Cristian Pache before Opening Day 2023. They got David Dellucci before Opening Day 2006.

Trades like that happen all the time as teams finalize their rosters.

But it could’ve been Wilson’s spot. He knows it. Everybody in camp knows it.

Now, he must work to get healthy and play himself back into the mix.

“Already been rehabbing,” Wilson said. “Gonna come back stronger and healthier, ready to play this year and help this team win ballgames. I want to win a World Series."

Which Phillies player has the most pinch-hits in a single season in franchise history?

A. Tony Taylor
B. Ross Gload
C. Greg Gross
D. Greg Dobbs 

We recently wrote about Clearwater, including top restaurant recommendations from Phillies broadcasters. We also discussed our top tips to enjoy games at BayCare Ballpark.

The Phillies last week introduced several offerings (many new) at BayCare. Here are a few highlights:

• An auction to benefit Clearwater-area charities on March 17, behind Section 111. Game-used and autographed items from Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and more. Fans can also purchase “Mystery Balls,” where fans randomly select baseballs signed by current or former Phillies.

• If you watched Sunday’s game on NBC Sports Philadelphia, you could not miss Tom McCarthy’s and Ruben Amaro Jr.’s Florida-inspired Phillies golf shirts. Fans can purchase Spring Training-exclusive gear at the team store, behind Section 119 and at other locations inside the ballpark.

• New foods include El Jefe Nachos (Bullpen Grille in left field), a seafood platter (Home Run Grille behind home plate) and a wagyu burger (Sausage Shack behind home plate). For the full list of BayCare’s offerings, go here.

Former Phillies prospect Kelly Dugan, 34, will return to Clearwater on Monday to sign a contract with the Phillies. He will work out a couple days, then play in Thursday’s Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It’s part of an upcoming documentary by Mike Tollin, a lifelong Phillies fan who grew up in Havertown, Pa. Tollin was the executive producer of Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance.” He also produced the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream,” as well as Derek Jeter’s “The Captain” and Allen Iverson’s “Iverson.”

The Phillies selected Dugan in the second round of the 2009 Draft. The Phils released him after the 2015 season. He played two more seasons of affiliated ball, before playing the past six years in independent leagues.

“'Unfinished business,' was the way Kelly put it,” Tollin said.

Tollin spoke to Phillies managing partner John Middleton about bringing back Dugan for a final shot. Middleton ran the idea by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who then asked Thomson and player development director Luke Murton. They said OK.

“I said I think it would be really cool, maybe putting a bow on a long career,” Tollin said. “Maybe it’s his swan song. Or maybe, you know, crazier things have happened.”

Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract with Philadelphia on Feb. 28, 2019.

D. Greg Dobbs

Dobbs had 22 pinch-hits in 2008, three more than Gross’ 19 in 1982.

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