Phillies' Rhys Hoskins suffered torn ACL in spring training game
CLEARWATER, Fla. (CBS/AP) -- Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL during the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training game against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning, the team announced Thursday night.
The Phillies say Hoskins underwent an MRI that revealed an ACL tear and will require surgery. The recommended surgery is an ACL reconstruction, according to the team.
More details about the surgery, including the date and surgeon, will be determined in the future.
Hoskins was carted off the field following the injury at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
Hoskins was backing up to play a chopper on Thursday when the ball popped out of his glove. Soon after, he fell to the ground and began clutching his left knee. Teammates gathered around him before he was taken off of the field.
Hoskins hit 30 homers with 79 RBIs last season for the reigning National League champions.
Hoskins, who turned 30 last week, hit six homers in Philadelphia's playoff run last season. The Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in the World Series.
Hoskins is in the final year of his contract.
The Phillies open the 2023 season next Thursday in Texas against the Rangers.
The injury is another blow for the Phillies, who will be without top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for another few weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow. And slugger Bryce Harper isn't expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.
"That guy is basically the Mayor of Philadelphia in my eyes," pitcher Bailey Falter said in the locker room down in Clearwater. "In my eyes he is Mr. Philly."
Outfielder Nick Castellansos said Hoskins is like the Phillies' player-spokesperson.
"He's the guy who steps up, and talks to the team whenever something needs to be addressed...he's really good at all that stuff, and he's really important to what we have," Castellanos said.
"If that guy is going to miss time, it's a hard one to fill in," outfielder Kyle Schwarber said. "So you gotta just be able to hope for the best...hopefully we get good news."
Schwarber tweeted out a broken heart emoji reacting to Hoskins' injury.
Phillies President of Baseball operations David Dombrowski will discuss Hoskins' injury Friday morning at BayCare Ballpark.
