The Philadelphia Phillies have kicked off spring training this week, but not without some intrigue.
Starting shortstop has yet to appear in a spring training game, as he was away from the team for personal reasons. A three-time MLB All-Star, Turner is a crucial piece of the Phillies’ lineup, and fans are eager to see him back in action with the 2025 regular season just over a month away.
Fortunately, there’s good news for Phillies fans.
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman, Turner was present at Wednesday morning’s practice. The 31-year-old infielder took groundballs with infield coach Bobby Dickerson, signaling that he’s back on track.
Turner’s absence was likely due to a significant family milestone—his wife, Kristen, recently gave birth to their third child. Now that he’s spent time with his family, the Boynton Beach, FL native is ready to shift his focus back to baseball.
The 2025 season marks Turner’s third year in Philadelphia after signing an 11-year, $300 million contract in December 2022. While his debut season with the Phillies fell short of expectations, he bounced back in 2024 with a strong performance.
Last year, Turner played in 121 games (505 at-bats), hitting 21 home runs with 62 RBIs, 27 walks, and 19 stolen bases. He slashed .295/.338/.469 and earned his third All-Star selection. His 124 OPS+ reflected a noticeable improvement from the previous season’s 112, giving fans optimism that he can maintain his upward trajectory.
With discussions about him potentially moving into the leadoff spot, Turner will need to deliver at his best in 2025. The Phillies are counting on him as they aim to capitalize on their strong position—currently tied for the fourth-best World Series odds (+1100) at FanDuel Sportsbook.