PHILADELPHIA — Bryson Stott spent 83 games in his debut season as a shortstop.
When Trea Turner injured his left hamstring on Saturday, the question arose whether Stott would fill in for the next six weeks.
Manager Rob Thomson initially resisted, but on Monday, Stott was listed as No. 6 in the lineup.
Thomson made it clear that he doesn't want to regularly move Stott, as he is very skilled at second base.
Stott was primarily a shortstop, being a first-round pick out of UNLV and playing shortstop in 141 of his 168 minor-league games. He filled in at second base in 2022 when Jean Segura was injured.
However, his versatility took on a new aspect after that season.
Thomson was candid with Stott after the season about the organization’s intention to add a shortstop and move Stott to second base.
Stott agreed to the plan. In 2023, he played next to Turner, demonstrating outstanding defense at second base while hitting .280 with 15 home runs.
Stott performed as usual in Game 1 back at short on Monday, making a diving stop in the first inning that led to a double play, but also making an error in the fifth inning.
Thomson praised Stott's performance, noting that he looked solid and performed well.
Thomson was not prepared to finalize the lineup without Turner yet. Edmundo Sosa, who has a .276 average in 11 games but is not always a strong defender, played on Sunday and will get a longer opportunity.
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Another option to replace Turner is Whit Merrifield, who started at second base.
Merrifield is a valuable backup player, limited in the outfield this year by Brandon Marsh’s emergence. This injury situation shows how valuable Merrifield is.
Merrifield hasn’t played shortstop in his 1,122 big league games, but Thomson wants to give him some practice there to see how he performs.
“He’s a baseball player,” Thomson said. “He’ll play anywhere. He’ll play center field, play third, probably catch for us if we asked him to. That’s who he is.”
This is also an opportunity to get Merrifield going offensively. He has hits in each of his last seven games, going 10-for-24 (.417). He homered Saturday and drove in the first run Monday with a single in the fourth inning.
Thomson praised Merrifield’s at-bats, noting his consistency and ability to utilize the entire field.
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NOTES >> Wheeler got 11 strikeouts, his 24th game with double-digit strikeouts, including 16 as a Phillie and three this year. His 1.64 ERA is the lowest for a Phillies starter in his first eight starts of a season since Roy Halladay’s 1.59 ERA in 2010. (Ranger Suarez has a 1.72 ERA over seven starts.) … Alec Bohm's 18-game hitting streak ended. He went 0-for-4, flying out to center twice and grounding out to short in the seventh. He ended the eighth on deck. … The Phillies are 17-3 in their last 20 games, the first such stretch since Sept. 2-24, 2010. … At 25-11, the Phillies have won 25 of their first 36 games for only the third time in franchise history. They were 25-9 in 1976 and 25-10 in 1993. … The Phillies are 10-0 against the National League West this season, the only team in baseball to be unbeaten against a division over more than three games played. They have won 11 straight overall against NL West opposition, the longest streak in franchise history (previously 10, May 11-22, 1984, and Aug. 3-23, 1977). They are 23-5 against the NL West dating to May 24. … The Phillies start a mini two-game series with Toronto Tuesday. Cristopher Sanchez (1-3, 3.68 ERA) will start against Jose Berrios (4-2, 1.44) on Tuesday at 6:40. It’s Aaron Nola (4-1, 3.32) and Chris Bassitt (2-5, 5.45) for the getaway on Monday afternoon.
