Nick Piccone
The next big thing for the Phillies, shortstop J.P. Crawford, won’t be playing winter baseball anymore. Playing in the Arizona Fall League, a throw from the catcher to Crawford to try to nail a runner ended in Crawford getting injured.
Crawford suffered a slight ligament tear in his left thumb. The 20-year-old shortstop said the injury will not require surgery. He is expected to be 100 percent healthy when spring training gets underway in Clearwater, Fla, in February.
The injury happened on Oct. 22, when Crawford’s hand made contact with a baserunner on a stolen base attempt. Crawford hadn’t played since.
“A guy slid into me trying to steal – the throw took me off the line and we ran into each other,” said Crawford, who is back home in Lakewood, Calif.
Phillies player development director Joe Jordan said Crawford would be in a splint for 3-4 weeks. Since the AFL season ends next month, the team decided to shut him down.
Womp. Wooooooooomp.