PHILADELPHIA — Just before 3:30 p.m. on a typical Monday, Bryce Harper stepped onto the field at Citizens Bank Park for a much-needed early workout. Little did he know, this moment would starkly remind everyone of the Philadelphia Phillies' current troubles. As Harper casually tossed a ball with Weston Wilson, the mood shifted when the team announced a crushing development: both Trea Turner and Alec Bohm were heading to the injured list.

Despite this daunting news looming just three weeks before the season's end, the Phillies are optimistic that both players will dodge lengthy absences. Turner, enjoying a stellar season, suffered a Grade 1 strain in his right hamstring during Sunday’s game against the Marlins but could be back in action before the regular season closes. "Actually, it was better than what we expected," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson.

Meanwhile, Bohm, who has battled through shoulder pain all season, is also sidelined for repair. He has a cyst in his shoulder that will need draining, but Thomson is hopeful for a return in about 10 days.

The infield is currently in disarray, with Edmundo Sosa stepping up as shortstop and Bryson Stott also getting some time there. Otto Kemp is poised to take over at third base, while Wilson and Donovan Walton are likely to share duties at second and third. Although the depth seems strained, the organization is breathing a sigh of relief that the injuries aren’t worse.

Clinging to a four-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second playoff seed, the Phillies are in a prime position. If they can secure that spot, they would enjoy a first-round bye, pushing their postseason start to October 4—providing Turner ample time to recover.

"It’s always imperative to me to secure that bye," Thomson remarked. "We really need to give these guys some rest. So we have to go for it."

Turner’s injury occurred in the seventh inning last Sunday. Remember, he missed 11 days back in 2017 with a mild strain and was out for 44 days last season due to a more severe issue. However, this time the prognosis is more optimistic, and Turner has set his sights on returning just in time for the playoffs.

With a personal best so far this season, including a staggering 179 hits, Turner is not only a linchpin for the Phillies but also a contender for their first batting title since 1958. His departure will undoubtedly disrupt the lineup, but Thomson has set Harper in the leadoff spot, aiming to tweak the structure creatively.

"We just talked about it," Harper explained. "It’s something we wanted to try out; we’ll see how it goes."

As they work through these injuries, the Phillies are wary of further losses. With only a few outfielders left on the 40-man roster, Thomson is prepared to mix-and-match to keep the stamina of his lineup intact.

The combination of injuries and lineup restructuring stands as yet another test for the Phillies, but their recent experiences fuel their confidence.

"We've been here before," Thomson noted. "Last year, we lost Schwarber and Harper on the same day and kept moving forward. We’ll do the same this time. It’s the next man up, and others need to step up. We need to keep pushing ahead."

As the team navigates these challenges, fans remain hopeful, awaiting the return of stars like Turner and Bohm, dreaming of playoff glory ahead.