Phillies Lose Andrew McCutchen For Rest Of Season With Torn ACL

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Phillies were dealt a crippling blow on Tuesday afternoon, as news came in that leadoff catalyst Andrew McCutchen will miss the remainder of the 2019 season after tearing his ACL.

The injury came on a freak play during Monday night's loss to the Padres, when McCutchen became involved in a rundown between first and second. As he spun to avoid a tag he appeared to land awkwardly, and had to be helped off the field.

He seemed to know it might be something bad, as he was seen on crutches later and tweeted "Pray for me" on Tuesday.

It's yet another blow to an outfield corps that appeared to be the team's strength heading into the year. Of the seven outfielders on the 40 man roster on Opening Day, five are now gone, either for good or indefinitely. Along with McCutchen, Aaron Altherr was cut, Roman Quinn is injured, again, Dylan Cozens is out for the year following shoulder surgery, Odubel Herrera is suspended following an arrest for domestic assault in Atlantic City, and Nick Williams was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

That leaves Bryce Harper and new acquisition Jay Bruce as the regulars in right and left, respectively, with a gaping hole in center that the Phillies would rather not fill on an everyday basis with superutility man Scott Kingery, who is better fit defensively for the infield.

To that end, they've called up one of their top prospects, 2017 first round draft pick Adam Haseley, to make his major league debut. He is batting eighth and playing centerfield on Tuesday night, and will be given the chance to take over the role full time.

He'll have big shoes to fill. McCutchen, 32, has been everything the Phillies could have asked for when they signed him to a 3 year, $50 million contract over the winter. While some saw it as an overpay for the former MVP, he has played good defense in left and has led the National League in walks this season with 43. He has a stellar .378 on base percentage, and has been the run producer the Phillies need ever since his leadoff home run on Opening Day against the Braves.

McCutchen hopes to be ready for the start of the 2020 season. Haseley, meanwhile, has seen his timeline accelerate drastically from where it was two months ago. He was just recently called up to Triple-A from Double-A last week, so he'll need to make a quick adjustment to the next level.