Phillies taking it slow with Rhys Hoskins after offseason meniscus surgery originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Two days into Grapefruit League play, every starting position player has gotten into a game for the Phillies except Rhys Hoskins.
The Phils are taking it slow with Hoskins. Manager Rob Thomson revealed Sunday that the first baseman had a minimally invasive surgical procedure in mid-December to repair the meniscus in his right knee. It was done in Los Angeles by Dr. Neil ElAttrache, who also performed Bryce Harper's Tommy John surgery.
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The Phillies say that Hoskins arrived at spring training fully functional and they're simply giving him a few extra days. Hoskins is expected to play Friday after the Phillies' two-day trip to Fort Myers to face the Twins and Red Sox.
This is a huge year for Hoskins, who becomes a free agent after the season. He'll earn $12 million in 2023.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was asked this week about Hoskins' contract situation.
"Rhys is a tremendous player, a tremendous person, he's done a lot for the organization," Dombrowski said. "So we'll just analyze and see what takes place. But we love him, we think the world of him."
Hoskins hit .246/.332/.462 last season with 33 doubles and 30 home runs, the second-highest totals of his career. He earned a place in Phillies history with a dramatic three-run home run off of electric Braves pitcher Spencer Strider in the NLDS that helped move the Phillies to the next round, where he homered four times in five games against the Padres. Had the Phillies finished the job in the World Series, there might be a statue somewhere in South Philly of Hoskins slamming his bat in celebration.
Hoskins has 148 home runs and 149 doubles in six seasons with the Phillies. He is their second-longest-tenured player behind Aaron Nola, who will also be a free agent after the 2023 season unless the Phils extend him first.
