Phillies outfielder Jay Bruce, who left Tuesday's win against the Dodgers in the third inning with a rib injury, was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, the team announced.
#Phillies have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/xcTtUiH1oH
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 17, 2019
In a corresponding move, the Phillies recalled outfielder Nick Williams from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Bruce immediately grabbed his side after a check swing in Tuesday's game. After manager Gabe Kapler and a trainer checked on him, he was removed from the game.
Kapler told reporters afterward that Bruce's injury was 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.
According to The Athletic, Bruce said only that the injury is in his rib cage, and it "sounds like he might need to go on the injured list."
Bruce underwent an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury, but the Phillies offered no details in making their announcement.
The Phillies can ill afford to lose yet another outfielder for an extended period. They acquired Bruce last month from the Mariners in a trade to replace Odubel Herrera, who is suspended the rest of the season for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence policy. Andrew McCutchen already has been lost for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Losing Bruce takes a power bat out of the Phillies lineup. He has 24 home runs with an .831 OPS this season, including 10 home runs in 33 games with Philadelphia.
In contrast, Williams is slashing .173/.221/.259 with one homer and four RBI in 81 at-bats in 50 MLB games this season.
If the Phillies look to make a deal for an outfielder before the MLB trade deadline in two weeks, some of the names that are floating as available include Adam Jones (Orioles), Shin-Soo Choo (Rangers), Derek Dietrich (Marlins) and Curtis Granderson (Blue Jays).