Phillies' Luis Arraez gets nightmare injury update as playoff hopes come to a halt amid struggles

The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to make it to their fifth straight playoff appearance, but they are not doing themselves any favors. Over the last two weeks, the team has lost nine of its last 14 games.

This is not the type of stretch the Phillies want to be on with the playoffs set to begin Tuesday. In fact, the team has allowed the Arizona Diamondbacks back into the picture after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

“The Phillies entered leading Arizona by two games for an NL wild card with three to play. The Phillies would have clinched their fifth straight playoff berth with a win against the Rays and an Arizona loss to San Diego. The Phillies instead lost their third straight and delayed a potential clincher at least until Saturday when they will throw a bullpen game against the Rays,” ESPN wrote.

Earlier in the week, things got even bleaker for the Phillies as their trade deadline acquisition, Luis Arraez, left the game with an injury.

“Arraez was injured after he tried to avoid a tag at first base in the Phillies' loss to Milwaukee on Thursday night. Obtained from San Francisco at the trade deadline, Arraez stayed down for a while as trainers tended to him. He eventually hobbled off the field with assistance,” ESPN wrote.

On Friday, interim manager Don Mattingly provided an injury update, and it was not one Phillies fans wanted to hear.

“Don Mattingly said update on Luis Arraez was “kind of not a great one.” Sounds like they hope he might improve enough to pinch-hit at some point. IL could be possible if he doesn’t improve,” MLB.com’s Todd Zelecki wrote.

With the playoffs starting Tuesday, the timing of this injury could not be worse. Arraez is a tough player who wants to be in the lineup every day, so if he is missing games, the injury is clearly something to monitor.

There is still no guarantee that Philadelphia makes the playoffs, as the Arizona Diamondbacks are only one game behind. If the Phillies can punch their ticket to the postseason, it is not looking like Arraez will be available, at least as a starter.

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