The injury bug hasn't been kind to the Phillies in recent seasons, and that trend has continued this spring, with multiple Phillies players currently battling through injuries.
MLB injury roundup: Phillies struggling with injuries
The club’s aging roster has struggled through a number of injuries this spring, a trend that continued on Friday.
On Friday morning, Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis was hospitalized with a staph infection in his leg and will begin the season on the DL. Galvis had an abscess removed from his left knee on Wednesday and will now miss 2-3 weeks, according to the team.
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The injury is a blow to the club's infield depth, which could become a concern if the oft-injured Chase Utley has any health problems again this season. Either Ronny Cedeno or Reid Brignac will likely take Galvis' place on the roster and the team's sixth bench spot in the process. The 24-year-old Galvis hit .234/.283/.385 in 222 plate appearances for the Phillies last season.
Ruf strains oblique
First baseman Darin Ruf strained his left oblique while taking batting practice on Thursday. The 27-year-old underwent an MRI on Friday and hopes to be back soon, but like Galvis, could end up on the DL to begin the season.
Ruf is supposed to provide depth at first base and the corner outfield positions for the Phillies in 2014, duties that will fall to Kevin Frandsen and John Mayberry Jr. in his absence. In 293 plate appearances for Philadelphia last season, Ruf batted .247/.348/.458 and posted a solid .269/.363/.500 mark against right-handers.
Gonzalez gets cortisone injection
After the Phillies signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract last August, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez has had a tough spring and received a cortisone injection into his right shoulder on Thursday. The Cuban native has dealt with shoulder soreness after struggling through his only two appearances in spring training.
Gonzalez joins a long list of Phillies pitchers who have battled injuries this spring, including Cole Hamels, who will miss the month of April with shoulder soreness. Jonathan Pettibone and relievers Mike Adams and Ethan Martin have also landed on the DL in spring training, leaving the team's pitching depth in question to begin the season.
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