The Philadelphia Phillies are continuing to monitor the struggles of All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm, whose disappointing start to the 2026 MLB season has become one of the team’s biggest concerns. After being removed from the lineup due to poor form, interim manager Don Mattingly has now confirmed that Bohm is expected to return to action in the next game.
Bohm was left out of the Phillies’ lineup during the final game of their series against the Athletics, with utility infielder Edmundo Sosa taking over at third base. Sosa, who is usually rotated in alongside second baseman Bryson Stott, filled the position while Bohm received a break amid his prolonged slump.
Speaking to reporters on May 8, Mattingly revealed that the Phillies plan to reinsert Bohm into the lineup the following day. The announcement was later shared by MLB.com reporter Todd Zolecki on social media, signaling that the organization still hopes the struggling infielder can regain his confidence and rediscover his form.
Bohm’s 2026 campaign has been extremely difficult both professionally and personally. Away from baseball, the 29-year-old has reportedly been involved in a legal dispute with his parents regarding the management of his MLB earnings. While there is no direct evidence connecting the lawsuit to his performance, the situation has added further attention and pressure during an already frustrating season.
The Phillies originally entered the season with Bohm serving as the club’s cleanup hitter, a major role in the middle of the batting order. However, after managing only eight hits in his first 39 at-bats, the coaching staff decided to move him lower in the lineup. In his place, left fielder Brandon Marsh has stepped into a more prominent offensive role as he continues to impress during what many believe could become a breakout season.
Unfortunately for Bohm, the adjustment in batting order has not led to improvement. Through 34 games, he has posted a disappointing .159 batting average with only one home run, along with a .227 on-base percentage and a .206 slugging percentage. Advanced analytics paint an even bleaker picture. According to FanGraphs metrics, his offensive production ranks among the worst in Major League Baseball, with only Cedric Mullins producing a lower weighted runs created plus (wRC+) among qualified hitters.
The underlying numbers also suggest that Bohm’s struggles are not simply due to bad luck. His average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, and barrel rate are all tracking toward career lows. Statcast data further reveals that his expected batting average and expected slugging percentage rank near the bottom of the league, indicating that he has consistently failed to make quality contact at the plate.
The timing of this downturn could not be worse. Bohm is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season, meaning his current performance could significantly reduce his future market value. From 2022 through 2025, Bohm established himself as one of the more reliable offensive third basemen in baseball, producing steady numbers and ranking among the top players at his position in overall value during that span. However, his dramatic regression this year now threatens both his standing within the organization and his earning potential in free agency.
At the same time, the Phillies themselves are under pressure to salvage their season. The club opened the year with a disastrous 9-19 record, leading to the dismissal of manager Rob Thomson. Since Mattingly stepped in as interim manager, the team has responded impressively, winning eight of its last ten games and climbing back into contention in the National League East.
That turnaround may also reduce the organization’s patience with Bohm if his struggles continue. The Phillies entered the season expecting to compete for a division title and possibly make another deep postseason run. If Bohm cannot improve over the next several weeks, the front office could begin exploring alternatives before the trade deadline, either by giving Sosa more playing time or by acquiring another third baseman.
The organization has already demonstrated a willingness to move on from expensive underperforming players. Earlier in the season, the Phillies cut ties with pitcher Taijuan Walker despite still owing him millions of dollars after a series of poor outings. That precedent suggests the team may not hesitate to make another difficult financial decision if it believes a roster change is necessary to remain competitive.
For Bohm, the coming months may determine not only the future of his season but also the future of his career in Philadelphia. Whether he can overcome this slump and reestablish himself as a key piece of the franchise remains one of the most important questions facing the Phillies moving forward.
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