Turner will end up missing just over six weeks with a strained hamstring suffered on May 3. The Phillies placed Turner on the injured list the next day and initially expected him to miss at least six weeks. While that initial projection seems accurate, there may be some concerns.

The 30-year-old will return to the Phillies without undergoing a minor league rehab assignment. It appears he is fully recovered as rushing him back could lead to re-aggravation of the injury. However, there might be some rust and initial struggles as Turner gets back into the swing of things over the next week or so.

Philadelphia Phillies Activate Trea Turner, Option Johan Rojas

Prior to the injury, Turner played a key role for the team with the best record in the league. He had a strong performance at the plate, hitting .343/.392/.460 (144 OPS+) with two home runs, 10 steals, and singles in 148 plate appearances.

Despite Turner’s absence, the Phillies managed well with backup infielder Edmundo Sosa stepping up. Since replacing Turner, Sosa has been impressive at the plate, hitting .282/.342/.509 with four home runs, four triples, five doubles, and 17 RBI.

Additionally, Sosa provided stronger defense than Turner at the crucial shortstop position, according to defensive metrics. With Turner back, Sosa is likely to return to a utility role in the infield.

Despite the success without Turner, the Phillies recently lost J.T. Realmuto to knee surgery for at least a month. This could be why the Phillies decided to activate Turner without a rehab assignment, to avoid having two star players out for an extended period.

Phillies Option Rojas

On Sunday, the Phillies announced that Turner would return on Monday. They had to make a decision on which player would lose their roster spot, ultimately choosing to demote Rojas, known for his strong defensive skills.

Rojas, who had a solid debut last season, has struggled both defensively and offensively in 2024. His defensive performance has declined significantly, along with his offensive output, hitting .235/.271/.295 (63 OPS+).

Furthermore, the Phillies activated outfielder Brandon Marsh from the injured list, potentially making Rojas expendable on the current roster. Marsh, who can provide solid defense and contribute with the bat, was shifted to left field last year when Rojas emerged as a standout performer.