PHILADELPHIA — After only one day out of the lineup, the scuffling Brandon Marsh will be back in there as a starter for the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The left-handed-hitting Marsh is hitless in the month of April and is riding an 0-for-26 slump at the plate. He was taking the struggles hard. Phillies manager Rob Thomson removed him from the batting order for Monday night’s game, a 10-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a four-game series.
Marsh entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning following a long hitting session in the afternoon. His head now seems to be in a better place as he’s penciled in to play center field and bat ninth on Tuesday.
“He had a really good work day yesterday,” Thomson said. “I checked in with (hitting coach) Kevin (Long) and I checked in with Brandon. He was pretty adamant that he was in a good spot.”
While not committing to any number greater than one, Thomson suggested on Monday that Marsh could have been out of the lineup for two or three games. It ended up being only one, although it’s unlikely that he’ll start on Wednesday with left-hander Robbie Ray on the mound for the Giants.
Thomson insisted that an 0-for-3 performance with three strikeouts from Johan Rojas in place of Marsh didn’t factor into Tuesday’s decision. But it’s clear that the Phillies (9-7) will need more from the No. 9 spot in their lineup, no matter which player hits there.
With a day to regroup, Marsh could provide a better shot at producing at the bottom of the order.
“You get a day away from the game where you just don’t even think about it, just do some hitting, and it’ll clear your head pretty quick,” Thomson said.
Marsh took the field early for batting practice on Monday and worked on getting “back into rhythm — my rhythm.” The outfielder said that he hasn’t been fluid enough, instead “standing still” in the batter’s box. “Too stiff,” Marsh added, “like the Tin Man.”
Utilizing his athleticism could help Marsh find more success.
“I’m just a rhythmic guy, so I feel like I’m flowing more when I’m moving,” Marsh said. “I like to feel like I’m dancing in the box. So it felt good yesterday.”
Of course, one good day of batting practice doesn’t erase a month’s worth of poor output. Marsh is batting .108 in 15 games this season with 14 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances. He’ll need to prove that he can make the proper adjustments and play much better. He’s eager for the opportunity after a night on the bench.
“I feel good,” Marsh said. “Ready to go.”
Barbara Jean
April 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm
I am praying for a quick recovery for one of my favorite Phillies. Marsh is a good person. I hope and pray he will come back. Lindor on the Mets was terrible during the entire a month of April last year and he came back big time. .