When Cesar Hernandez misplayed a ground ball to second base into a collision with Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, it did not look very good. Hernandez's injury meant that the Phillies needed some extra infield help. In terms of starting at second base, newly acquired Darnell Sweeney will get a nice long look. But it will also mean an opportunity for someone previously sent home to make his Phillies debut.
Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Chase d'Arnaud will join the Phillies and that Hernandez will miss the rest of the season:
Cesar Hernandez' season officially over. He was placed on the 60-day DL. Chase d'Arnaud to join team as infield depth.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) September 14, 2015
The Phillies only had Sweeney, Galvis, and Andres Blanco as middle infield options after Hernandez's injury.
The older brother of former Phillies prospect Travis d'Arnaud, Chase d'Arnaud is 28 years old and spent 2015 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs after spending Spring Training with the big club. In 120 games, d'Arnaud batted .268 with five home runs and 35 runs batted in. The elder d'Arnaud played center field, left field, shortstop, third base, and second base for Lehigh Valley. He has also played 64 games in the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, batting .208.
Hernandez appeared in a career-high 127 games with the Phillies in 2015. Hernandez batted .271 with an OPS of .671, finishing the year with a WAR of 1.0. Hernandez struggled at a couple points in the season, including down the stretch. His best month was June, when Hernandez batted .324 with an OPS of .792.
