Monday was the first official workout down in Clearwater, Florida for the Phillies, and Bryson Stott spoke to the media for the first time since last season.

In a video from 94.1 WIP’s Devan Kaney, Stott noted that last season was obviously disappointing, and touched on an elbow injury that started back in May. Here’s the full quote in an article from On Pattison’s Tim Kelly:

“I felt like my defense and baserunning and all that was good, and how I know I could do it. And offensively, just playing through and trying to get healthy. And looking back, it’s like I wasn’t healthy. I was good enough to play and I’m not going to make excuses for that. I want to play. You never want to sit on the bench or anything. I just kind of sat back [this offseason] and let my arm heal up and be ready to go this year.

I messed up this nerve, some long word for a nerve in there. I did it in the end of May in Miami. I was hitting really well, I was like ‘Alright, I’m feeling back to normal after the rough first month.’ Kind of got it going and took a weird swing and it kind of made my pinky go numb. And I was like ‘It’s whatever.’ And then I took another one a week or so later and it just kind of lingered the whole time.

It was kind of when I was out in front fooled and had that hyper-extension that would make my fingers go numb. I’d have to call time and then it’d feel fine. I think as I just kind of kept going and going it got weaker and weaker and I was trying to compensate with different parts of my body. And it kind of got me into some bad habits.

Kind of. It’s a nervy thing. It’s sit and rest and hope it calms down…and you just don’t know how long that could be. Obviously I was healthy enough to play and go out there and give it my all, and that’s what I wanted to do. And we did it. If you’re not going to affect the game on the offensive side, you still have two other sides that you could affect the game on. So just tried to grind through it and play good defense and run the bases.” 

We first learned about the injury back at the Winter Meetings when Jim Salisbury reported that Stott was dealing with a nagging elbow injury throughout most of last season. There were multiple occasions where Stott looked uncomfortable at the plate, and you’d even catch him wincing after a swing at times.

Stott said he’s fully healthy and ready to go in 2025. We know what kind of defense and baserunning Stott gives you. He fields second base as good as anyone in baseball and can steal 30 bags a year. But continuing to be a slap-hitter late in the lineup is crucial for Stott in 2025 for a Phillies team that is looking for more offensive production from the back end of their lineup.

I’d expect Stott to slide a little deeper in the lineup this year, but not much.


Here’s how I’d format the lineup on March 27th vs. the Washington Nationals:

  • Trea Turner SS
  • Bryce Harper 1B
  • Alec Bohm 3B
  • Kyle Schwarber DH
  • Nick Castellanos RF
  • Bryson Stott 2B
  • J.T Realmuto C
  • Max Kepler LF
  • Brandon Marsh CF

I’m very indifferent to Schwarber staying in the leadoff spot. If they keep him there, I think there’s no harm. But I completely understand if they want to switch things up in 2025, which I do believe they’ll do.

Bryson Stott having an improved year at the plate in 2025 is crucial for this team. I expect him to do that.