Phillies outfielder Jay Bruce left Tuesday's win against the Dodgers in the third inning with an injury.
According to The Athletic, Bruce said the injury is in his rib cage, and it "sounds like he might need to go on the injured list." He is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday.
Bruce immediately grabbed his side after a check swing. After manager Gabe Kapler and a trainer checked on him they removed him from the game.
Kapler told reporters after the game that Bruce's injury is either an intercostal or oblique injury. The intercostal muscles connect the ribs. The oblique muscles make up the so-called "six pack" core muscles that are critical for baseball players in swinging a bat and throwing.
"We'll get an MRI tomorrow and I'm not going to make any declarations beyond that right now," Kapler said.
The Phillies can ill afford to lose yet another outfielder for an extended period. They acquired Bruce from the Mariners in a trade last month to replace Odubel Herrera, who will miss the rest of the season due to suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence policy. Andrew McCutchen has already been lost for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Bruce has 24 home runs with an .831 OPS this season, including 10 home runs in 33 games with Philadelphia.