The Philadelphia Phillies lost Game 1 of the NLDS at home on Saturday. Many things went wrong or did not happen at all throughout the offense. Aside from losing the series opener, the Phillies also lost a key component of their recent offensive success.
Harrison Bader, the Phillies’ center fielder, was pinch hit for Nick Castellanos in the bottom of the seventh. There was some early uncertainty as to why Bader was removed from a close game. According to Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, it was later revealed that he had suffered an injury on the field (subscription required).
According to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, the injury appeared to occur in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bader was hit by a pitch, and Bryson Stott followed with a single. Bader’s groin appears to have tightened up as he approached second base.
Bader initially assumed it was his hamstring, but Thomson later confirmed it was his groin, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Thomson also revealed that Bader would have imaging done on Sunday before deciding on his availability for the rest of the series. Any amount of time missed would be detrimental to the Phillies, given the team’s success with Bader in center field. On the good side, Bader feels he will be able to return to the series, according to MLB.com’s Paul Casella.
“I definitely feel like I’ll be able to come back, for sure,” Bader said when asked if he expects to play again in the NLDS, according to Casella. “We have an off-day tomorrow, we’ll just get some imaging done and go from there.”
It would be a comfort if Bader could stay on the active roster for the remainder of the Division Series. Bader, who was acquired at the deadline, has played an important role in the Phillies’ late-season victories. During the regular season with the Phillies, Bader had a.305 batting average and an.824 OPS in 50 games.
He’s brought a lot of excitement to the clubhouse and continues to make tremendous outfield plays for the Phillies. The Phillies cannot afford to lose him now, especially since they are down 1-0 and have another potential hole to fill in the outfield for the remainder of the NLDS.