The hero of Game 4 of the 2020 World Series looks like he’ll miss the start of the 2021 regular season.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring, manager Kevin Cash announced after Monday’s 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
“[He’s] going to be out probably that 3-4 week timetable,” Cash said. “Unfortunate, but that’s what happens.”
Phillips, who injured his hamstring scoring on a Kevan Smith hit Sunday, had been battling with Yoshi Tsutsugo for what was likely going to be the last spot for position players.
“You don’t want to see it resolve that way,” Cash said. “He’ll be back, and he’ll play a big role for us. He was swinging the bat pretty well, and he’s just a good guy to have on a good team.”
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
