Trea Turner suffers broken right index finger; Matt Adams injures back in Nationals’ loss to Philly

Trea Turner squared to bunt on an 0-1 fastball from Philly righty Zach Eflin, and took a 94 MPH pitch off the index/pointer finger on his right hand, which appeared to be broken or dislocated, as the MASN broadcast noted the trainer was trying his best to pop it back into place as the shortstop sat on the ground behind home plate. Turner left the game at that point, replaced by Wilmer Difo, and headed for an X-ray.

After the Washington Nationals’ 8-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Davey Martinez delivered the bad news. Turner suffered a broken right index finger on the play.

It’s a devastating blow for the Nationals and their shortstop, who was off to a good start this season, going 5 for 14 with two doubles and a walk-off home run in the first three games.

“It’s a loss, it’s a big loss, he’s our starting shortstop, but we’ve got to keep going,” Martinez told reporters in the nation’s capital in his post game press conference.

What will the Nationals do now? Is it Carter Kieboom’s turn to show what he can do at the big league level? Will the Nationals stick with Wilmer Difo at short for now as and let their top prospect continue to develop? Adrian Sanchez?

“Difo is going to get an opportunity to play, and he’s here for a reason, so we’ve just got to come back tomorrow and play baseball.”

Matt Adams Too: Nats’ manager Davey Martinez talked before the season opener in D.C. last week about the need to keep Matt Adams sharp by getting him starts at first, though Ryan Zimmerman, if healthy, is expected to be the everyday first baseman.

“We definitely have to keep him engaged,” Martinez said, after Adams went 14 for 50 with four doubles and six home runs in 19 games in Spring Training.

“He’s a big part of our ballclub. I want to make sure I keep Zim healthy, so he’ll get his day off, but we’ve definitely got to use [Adams]. He’s going to play. He’s had a good Spring Training and I want to keep him going.”

Adams got his first start tonight, against Phillies’ right-hander Zach Eflin, but a few innings after he went for a foul pop down the first base line and ended up going head over heels over the railing, the big first baseman left the game, replaced by Ryan Zimmerman. Back spasms according to the Nationals. Adams is day-to-day.