Update 4:59 p.m. ET: Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia says that he’s “hearing that Simon Muzziotti will come up from Double A to fill out the Phillies’ outfield in the wake of Moniak injury.”
Original Story
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Mickey Moniak will get a late start to the 2022 season after his red-hot spring ended with an injury.
The 23-year-old broke his right hand and is expected to miss up to six weeks, according to 97.3 ESPN‘s Mike Gill. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia confirmed the news, adding that initial scans of Moniak’s hand did not show the fracture.
Moniak was hit by a pitch in the Phillies’ final preseason exhibition game against the Rays on Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field, causing the break. He had homered earlier in the contest, continuing a tremendous spring at the plate.
The former No. 1 overall pick had a 1.351 OPS with six home runs in 15 spring-training games, earning him a spot on the roster out of camp. He appeared set to platoon in center field with Matt Vierling while Odúbel Herrera deals with an oblique injury. With Moniak now out, Vierling looks to be lined up as the regular in center.
The Phillies have not yet announced the injury or any further details.