MLB

Phillies' Will Middlebrooks breaks leg in collision with teammate

AP

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks broke his leg during a collision with teammate Andrew Pullin during a spring training game.

Will Middlebrooks agreed in December to a minor league contract with the Phillies.

Phillies manager Gave Kapler said Sunday that Middlebrooks broke his left fibula. Kapler said additional tests were needed to determine whether Middlebrooks also had ankle damage.

"Really tough time for me, but it will pass," Middlebrooks tweeted. "I can't wait to get back on the field with this squad."

Middlebrooks was playing third base during Saturday's exhibition against Baltimore and went back into left field attempting to catch DJ Stewart's popup when his ankle tangled underneath Pullin as the ball fell for a single. Middlebrooks was removed from the field on a cart.

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The 29-year-old is a veteran of five major league seasons with Boston (2012-14), San Diego (2015), Milwaukee (2016) and Texas (2017). He hit .211 in 22 games and 38 at-bats for the Rangers last year, when he spent most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock.

Middlebrooks agreed in December to a minor league contract with the Phillies and would get a $1.2 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He is married to Jenny Dell, a sideline reporter for CBS Sports who covered the Red Sox for NESN.