Phillies Rookie Otto Kemp Played Through Fractured Kneecap, Will Undergo Offseason Surgery

Philadelphia Phillies rookie Otto Kemp played the majority of the 2024 season with a fractured left kneecap, an injury sustained in mid-June, and is scheduled to undergo surgery this offseason, team officials announced today.

Kemp concealed the injury while continuing to play, also requiring a minor procedure on his left shoulder. Despite the pain, he finished the season hitting .224 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs, posting a .291 on-base percentage and .725 OPS. His ability to persevere through injury highlights the team’s depth and resilience as they look toward future playoff contention. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski praised Kemp’s toughness, stating, “He is a tough player. He is tough. I’m not sure that a lot of players, a lot of people, period, played with some of the things that he had. And I’m sure it affected him to some extent.”

After a brief stint in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Kemp returned to the majors on September 8 and showed significant improvement, hitting .250 with an .856 OPS in 16 games, including four home runs and 11 RBIs. Manager Rob Thomson noted Kemp’s composure, saying, “He understood that there’s a whole bunch of things you can’t control… He’s a gamer. He’s an even-keel guy. Nothing really affects him too much.” Kemp’s versatility – having played third base, first base, left field, and second base – is also highly valued by the organization; you can find more information about the Phillies roster on MLB.com.

Dombrowski indicated that Kemp has the potential to become an everyday player, potentially at third base depending on the future of Alec Bohm, whose arbitration status could lead to trade discussions. The Phillies are building a core of young talent, including Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and Andrew Painter, and see Kemp as a key component of that future. Spotrac details the Phillies’ current payroll situation and potential future moves.

Team officials expect Kemp to be fully recovered and ready for the 2025 season, with Dombrowski stating, “I think Otto Kemp has a chance to be an everyday player next year.”