The Philadelphia Phillies have hit a rough patch this season, but there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. After parting ways with longtime manager Rob Thomson and promoting bench coach Don Mattingly to the helm, the team saw an immediate surge in the standings. But for a legitimate World Series run, the Phillies need their veteran core to step up—and one star shortstop is raising eyebrows.

Trea Turner, now in the fourth year of his massive 11-year, $300 million contract, is struggling. The 2024 National League batting champ, who posted a stellar .304 average last season, is hitting just .240 through the first 36 games. His .663 OPS is the lowest of his career for this point in the season, and his defense has also taken a noticeable step back, as noted by The Athletic's Matt Gelb.

Concerns are mounting, especially after Turner battled hamstring injuries in both legs over the past two years. "His speed remains elite—100th percentile sprint speed last season—but that makes lower-body maintenance essential," wrote NBC Sports Philadelphia's Cole Weintraub. "Hamstrings tend to linger, and the Phillies will likely manage his workload carefully."

When asked about Turner's struggles, new manager Don Mattingly kept it simple with a two-word message: "He's fine." It's a vote of confidence for a player who remains a cornerstone of this aging but talented core, alongside Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Zack Wheeler. For the Phillies to make noise in October, they'll need Turner to rediscover his All-Star form—fast.