Phillies’ Mickey Moniak out 4-6 weeks with Hairline Fracture in Wrist

The battle for the Phillies’ starting center field position looks like it will be won by Matt  Vierling by default.

Get our free mobile app

Micky Moniak will be out 4-6 to six weeks with a broken hand suffered in Wednesday’s Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

X-rays initially turned up negative on Moniak's right hand, but sadly he will be out for about a month.

The 23-year-old Moniak, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick, had a strong spring training allowing him to make the Phillies initial Opening Day roster, hitting .371 with five hime runes in 35 at-bats over 14 games.

He has struggled at the MLB level, hitting .128 over 29 games with Philadelphia the past two seasons.

The center field job is now Vierling's, who is entering his second MLB season, after hitting .324 with two homers and two doubles in 34 games last season.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, with Odubel Herrera set to return at some point, and Moniak having a solid spring, will the team keep Monail around or give the job back to Herrera.