The Philadelphia Phillies, despite losing their Opening Day tilt against the Texas Rangers, enter the 2023 campaign with high hopes. After all, they are coming off such an impressive Cinderella run in the 2022 playoffs where they came oh so close to winning the World Series over the heavily-favored Houston Astros.

However, that does not mean that they don't have some considerable adversity to overcome, as during Spring Training, they lost everyday first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a major knee injury that's expected to keep him out for the entirety of the 2023 season.

On Thursday night, the Phillies announced that Hoskins had undergone successful surgery on his torn ACL, the recovery timeline for which is seven to nine months, according to the team's official Twitter account.

In Rhys Hoskins' absence, the Phillies started Darick Hall at first base. Hall went 0-4 in his first 2023 start, drawing a walk and driving in one of the Phillies' seven runs in the 11-7 defeat.

Article Continues Below
More Phillies News
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) looks on during an injury delay in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Phillies’ Bryce Harper gets live pitching update amid injury rehabTroy Finnegan ·
image thumbnail
Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber drops ‘complete hitter’ truth bomb on standout 2025 seasonBenjamin Adducchio ·
Jun 22, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Kyle Schwarber leads Phillies to 11-0 start vs. BravesMike Gianakos ·
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park.
3 sneaky trades Phillies must make to boost World Series chancesZachary Howell ·
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Max Kepler (17) looks to see if he hit the ball fair or foul in the fourth inning as Miami Marlins catcher Agustín Ramírez (50) looks on at loanDepot Park. Kemp Mattingly
Max Kepler claims being lied to by PhilliesZachary Howell ·
Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) catches Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera’s (not pictured) RBI sacrifice fly ball during the seventh inning at Rate Field.
MLB rumors: Mets, Phillies still keeping trade tabs on struggling White Sox starJoey Mistretta ·

Hall should play a huge part in the Phillies' chances of mounting a strong 2023 campaign. The 27-year old first baseman has played in just 42 major league games prior to this season, and in limited action, he displayed considerable power, smacking nine home runs in 142 plate appearances, good for a .522 slugging percentage.

What the Phillies would miss the most from Rhys Hoskins would be his ability to get on base. Despite a decline in Hoskins' advanced batting stats in 2022, he still managed to get on base at a strong clip, drawing walks at a double-digit percentage ever since breaking into the majors in 2017.

Meanwhile, Darick Hall hasn't particularly been adept at drawing walks dating back to his days in the minors. Nevertheless, Hall will have plenty of opportunities to expand his game and spread his wings so he could take the opportunity in front of him by the scruff of its neck.

At the end of the day, Rhys Hoskins will surely be motivated to return with a vengeance in the 2024 season. Hoskins is set to enter unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the 2023 season, so surely the first baseman would be looking to take his rehab process head-on.