Phillies Announce Reason for Trea Turner's Removal From Lineup
The Philadelphia Phillies may have a major Trea Turner problem. Now in just year four of his massive 11-year, $300 million contract, the 33-year-old veteran shortstop is already showing signs of regression.
Across 90 games this year, Turner has posted a .241 batting average, .286 on-base percentage, .651 OPS, 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
After making strides defensively last year, he has once again gone back to grading out as a below-average defender, a trend that has defined a majority of his career.
Nobody expected this much of an immediate drop-off, especially after he won the National League batting title in 2025.
The Phillies have still been successful despite his struggles from the leadoff spot, and entering Wednesday they sit just two games behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East.
Turner was not included in Wednesday's starting lineup against the Cincinnati Reds. Instead, backup shortstop Edmundo Sosa took over up the middle.
First baseman Bryce Harper stepped into the leadoff role for the first time all year. What initially looked like a routine day off for Turner turned out to be more than that.
Speaking with reporters ahead of first pitch, interim manager Don Mattingly revealed that Turner has been banged up and he wanted to give his body a break. "Trea's been a little banged up, lower half," Mattingly said (h/t Todd Zolecki of MLB.com).
Bryce Harper is leading off tonight vs. Reds righty Chase Burns. Don Mattingly said Harper volunteered with Trea Turner not in the lineup. "I don't mind it," Mattingly said. "He comes up quicker than anyone else."
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 8, 2026
Mattingly said, "Trea's been a little banged up, lower half."
Turner's next chance to return to the starting nine comes Thursday in the series finale against the Reds as he tries to get back to full strength. There is no reason for him to push through anything right now given how he is performing.
With the All-Star break approaching, Phillies fans are hoping Turner can not only stay healthy but also start to be productive once again in the second half of the season.
Related: Phillies Make Bryce Harper Change Trea Turner Decision
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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 6:49 PM.