Segura's return a hoped-for spark to offense
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PHILADELPHIA – It would be foolish to pin the Phillies’ offensive fortunes on Jean Segura.
He is only one batter in a lineup that should produce with or without him, but since he landed on the 10-day injured list on April 17 with a strained left hamstring, the Phillies are 3-6. Their offense has averaged a mere 2.8 runs per game. It has a .633 OPS. It is why Segura’s return from the IL on Saturday is welcomed. Philadelphia optioned outfielder Dylan Cozens to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Segura.
Segura batted .328 with five doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBIs and an .861 OPS before the injury. He fit perfectly in the two-hole, hitting behind Andrew McCutchen and ahead of Bryce Harper.
Of course, Segura’s injury preceded Odubel Herrera (right hamstring strain) and Scott Kingery (right hamstring strain). The cumulative effect of those three injuries has hit the Phillies’ depth hard and played a key role in the offense’s struggles, combined with the recent slumps of Harper (.710 OPS in last nine games), McCutchen (.542 OPS in last nine games) and J.T. Realmuto (.613 OPS in last seven games).
Montgomery to be honored at Wanamaker luncheon
Phillies chairman David Montomgery continues to be recognized for his lifetime contributions to the Philadelphia area. He will receive a lifetime achievement award at the John Wanamaker Athletic Award Luncheon in Center City on June 11.
Wanamaker has highlighted teams and coaches that “embody the spirit of Philadelphia” since 1961. The awards are presented by PHL Sports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), in conjunction with the Wanamaker Office Building, CBS3, and the Philadelphia Daily News. It celebrates an “athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia during a given year.”
“David means so much for so many people in this city,” PHLCVB president and CEO Julie Coker Graham said. “We’ve been honored to have him serve as Chairman of PHL Sports’ Advisory Board for the last 10 years. He’s had a huge impact in terms of our efforts to convene the entire Philadelphia sports community and bring major events to our city through the years, and it’s because of the great warmth and intelligence he brings to everything he does.”