Wilson's 'freak accident' injury widens Phils' bench battle

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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- If you needed to name a frontrunner for the Phillies¡¯ fourth and final bench job this spring, it would have been Weston Wilson.

He can play the infield and outfield. Most importantly, he hits right-handed.

But Wilson suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on Friday taking a swing in the batting cage at BayCare Ballpark. He will miss at least the next six weeks, ending his chances to make his first Opening Day roster.

It widens the Phillies¡¯ bench competition.

¡°It¡¯s very frustrating,¡± Wilson said Sunday morning at BayCare Ballpark. ¡°I spent a lot of time this offseason getting my body in the best shape possible. Just a freak accident. I didn¡¯t feel anything before, so, like, nothing warning me. Disappointment, I would say, is the biggest word. It sucks. I was really looking forward to starting the year. I felt really good about breaking with the team.¡±

Wilson had an excellent chance because the Phillies feature a left-handed-heavy lineup.

He would¡¯ve provided balance.

So, now what?

Edmundo Sosa is a lock to make the team. The Phillies will play him in the outfield this spring. If he fares well and if the Phillies are comfortable with it, he would give them another right-handed-hitting outfielder.

Johan Rojas is likely to make the team as the fourth outfielder.

Rafael March¨¢n or Garrett Stubbs will be the backup catcher.

For the last spot, the only remaining candidates on the 40-man roster are Buddy Kennedy, Kody Clemens and Cal Stevenson.

Kennedy¡¯s odds improved quite a bit because he hits right-handed. He also is working in the outfield this spring. Kennedy and Clemens are out of options, which will be a factor as the Phillies finalize their Opening Day roster. Clemens and Stevenson both hit left-handed.

Clemens plays both the infield and outfield, which helps. Stevenson only plays outfield.

"Buddy comes into play a little bit more now,¡± Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday. "If Sosa can play the outfield, maybe it's a left-handed bat. I think we've got some options still."

The Phillies could acquire a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder in the coming weeks, too. They got Cristian Pache before Opening Day 2023. They got David Dellucci before Opening Day 2006.

Trades like that happen all the time as teams finalize their rosters.

But it could¡¯ve been Wilson¡¯s spot. He knows it. Everybody in camp knows it.

Now, he must work to get healthy and play himself back into the mix.

¡°Already been rehabbing,¡± Wilson said. ¡°Gonna come back stronger and healthier, ready to play this year and help this team win ballgames. I want to win a World Series."