When the Phillies acquired Tommy Joseph in the trade for Hunter Pence, they envisioned someone who might be the Phillies' starting catcher as soon as this season. If all went according to plan, Joseph would have spent 2013 in AAA and 2014 in the majors. Instead, thanks to injury, Joseph was shut down in 2013 and was assigned to AA Reading for 2014. When he played, Joseph did very well. But, once again, Joseph found himself injured. Joseph's season is over.
According to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury, Joseph will have wrist surgery that will keep him out for the reason of the season.
Joseph hit the disabled list twice this season: once for a concussion, and the second with a wrist injury. Joseph was out from the beginning of May until July 12, when he started rehabbing with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. After five games, Joseph had not healed, so he will turn to surgery.
The Phillies re-signed catcher Carlos Ruiz to a three-year contract this offseason. Having turned only 23 last month, there is still time for Joseph to develop into the starting catcher the Phillies envisioned when they sent Pence to San Francisco. However, it's hard to call Joseph's future as the Phillies catcher a sure thing.
