Segura (finger) recovering ahead of schedule
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PHILADELPHIA -- Jean Segura’s locker Friday was decorated with red and white balloons and the number “10.”
Segura reached 10 years of big league service time, which is an important milestone for players. He was in a good mood because of it, but also because he planned to participate in a full workout, including batting practice, before Friday’s series opener against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Segura has not played since May 31, when he broke his right index finger getting hit by a pitch on a bunt attempt. He said he expects to begin a rehab assignment next week, with the potential to rejoin the Phillies following their next road trip, which ends Aug. 3 in Atlanta.
Segura had surgery on the finger on June 3. The Phillies said then that he would miss 10-12 weeks. The 10-week mark is Aug. 12.
“The finger is doing really, really good,” Segura said. “We’ll see over the next couple days how I feel.”
The Phillies also should have a better sense of Bryce Harper’s timeline on Monday, when he has a follow-up exam with his surgeon. It is possible Harper could have the pins removed from his broken left thumb. Harper has offered no timeline for his return, but sometime in August has not been ruled out.
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Segura has been hitting for days, and he said he has felt fine each time. He said the most difficult thing has been throwing because inflammation in his finger remains.
Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said Segura’s timeline to return after the two-game series in Atlanta might be “a little bit aggressive,” but he would not mind if it happened. The Phillies have missed Segura’s bat in the lineup. Once he returns, it will allow Thomson to move Bryson Stott around the infield with the potential for increased time at shortstop and even third base.
“I can’t wait to come back and contribute,” Segura said. “The boys have been doing a really good job. I’m proud of my teammates right now.
“I love the situation we’re in right now. We’ve got a really good chance. And when you get to the playoffs, the best out of three, I like our possibilities with [Aaron] Nola and [Zack] Wheeler. So let’s rock.”