Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips left Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves with a big toe injury.
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Phillips Leaves Tuesday’s Game
Tuesday, May 12
The team’s official Twitter account noted that Phillips left Tuesday’s game with a left big toe injury and “is in the process of being evaluated.”
After the Reds’ 4-3 win, manager Bryan Price didn’t have much of an update on Phillips, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 in Cincinnati:
If Phillips misses an extended period of time, Cincinnati’s lineup becomes much less formidable. He was hitting .311 with five stolen bases entering play Tuesday and is a critical cog in a group featuring Joey Votto, Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce. Phillips brings speed and the ability to hit for average to the table.
However, it is Phillips’ defense that Cincinnati will miss most. He is a four-time Gold Glove winner at second base and is generally accepted as one of the slickest players in the league with his glove. He regularly saves his pitching staff runs with fantastic diving plays in the hole and rapid-fire double-play turns in the middle of the infield.
Skip Schumaker came in for Phillips in Tuesday’s game and will likely be asked to play second base until Phillips is healthy again.
Schumaker doesn’t feature the same power or ability with the glove that Phillips does, but he is a proven veteran who played in numerous postseasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds could do worse in terms of backup options.
Still, if Cincinnati hopes to challenge for a wild-card spot in the National League, it needs Phillips healthy and making impressive plays with his glove.
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