Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Austin Hays to Begin Rehab Assignment

The Philadelphia Phillies (73-51) had one main goal that they wanted to accomplish heading into the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. That goal was to acquire a right-handed hitting outfielder that they could use in left field. They found that outfielder, and acquired Austin Hays via trade with the Baltimore Orioles (73-53).

Just 10 games into his tenure with the Phillies. Hays would come up limp running out a groundball, and would subsequently be placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

The club announced on Tuesday that Hays will be beginning his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs that night.

Hays, 29, was beginning to find his footing with the Phillies. After going just 5-for-21 through his first five games with the club, he entered August 7th, the date of his injury, going 5-for-16 over his last four games.

For the season, Hays has batted .256/.310/.395 with 19 extra-base hits and 18 RBI across 214 plate appearances in 73 games.

The Phillies hope the rehab assignment will get him back up to speed after missing just under two weeks' worth of playing time, and that he can pick back up where he left off and help lengthen their lineup for the playoff push.

Hays entered the 2024 season with a .262/.314/.437 career batting line with 63 home runs, 228 RBI, and a 107 OPS+ across 1,949 plate appearances in 494 games.

Hays spent the first six and a half seasons of his career with the Orioles before being traded to the Phillies ahead of the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline.