Phillies reinstate Austin Hays from 10-day IL, option Cal Stevenson

Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies returned Austin Hays from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list.

To make room for him on the 28-man roster, outfielder Cal Stevenson was optioned to the spring training complex.

Hays had been sidelined since September 5, when he was placed on the IL with a kidney infection. The 29-year-old who was sent over from the Orioles at the deadline has been dealing with kidney problems throughout the summer, but this really knocked him. Hays said he woke up last Tuesday morning and felt much better. He returned to the team in Queens this past weekend, worked out, and then went 2-for-9 with a walk and three runs scored in two rehab games with Lehigh Valley.

Hays hit .254 with six extra-base hits and five RBIs in 19 games prior to landing on the IL. He also suffered a hamstring injury prior to this. So he has only played 19 games as a Phillie, featuring two IL stints. He has killed lefties throughout this season, posting a slash line of .350/.402/.538 in 88 plate appearances against southpaws. That will be vital come the postseason.

Stevenson was a big part of September for the Phillies. He came up big multiple times and even robbed a J.D. Martinez home run in right-center field. Steveson batted .286 with three doubles and five RBIs in 11 games for the Phillies. Since the minor league season is over, he was sent to the spring training complex. Could he be on the playoff roster? I do not see it, but there is a chance.

The Phillies clinch the NL East crown on Monday night. Their magic number to clinch a first-round bye is two. Here is Tuesday night’s lineup:

Kyle Schwarber DH
Trea Turner SS
Bryce Harper 1B
Alec Bohm 3B
Nick Castellanos RF
Austin Hays CF
Edmundo Sosa 2B
Garrett Stubbs C
Johan Rojas CF

Tanner Banks LHP

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Benjamin Goldstein

Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.

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