The Philadelphia Phillies have their team assembled for the last push to the postseason now that the trade deadline has passed. Sort of, anyway.
With less than eight weeks remaining in the season, the Phillies are still in a great position despite their troubles since the All-Star break. They led the NL East by 7.5 games going into their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday after winning three of their previous four games.
They remain the squad to defeat. The Phillies have few moving components to worry about because of their strong roster. The front office and the fans will mainly be focusing on the fringes of the current 26-man roster, assuming there are no more injuries to the team’s primary stars.
Three Phillies players who won’t be on the big league roster at the end of August
Pitchers Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suárez, and Spencer Turnbull are still out for the Phillies to return from injury. There are some doubts about the rotation’s makeup until August, particularly in light of the anticipated implementation of the six-man plan once they have enough healthy starters.
There may be some variation in the bullpen as well, at least in a few areas. With Tanner Banks and Carlos Estévez added at the deadline, the top six relief arms seem to be set for the next two months.
With the Phillies looking to sweep the National League Division Series, which fringe players do the coaching staff and front office view as expendable and replaceable?
August will not see Kolby Allard finish on the big-league roster.
The first pitcher from the Phillies to arrive in the Lehigh Valley in August is probably Kolby Allard. On July 27, after injured starter Ranger Suárez was placed on the 15-day injured list, the left-hander was called up by the Phillies. Allard signed a minor league contract in January as a free agent; the Phillies will undoubtedly exercise his option.
It was likely his final start of the season on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Walker, 26, is the most likely roster casualty after the Phillies reinstate him.
Allard has pitched for the Phillies for three games (two starts) with a 3.46 ERA and 1.23 WHIP thus far. He gave up five runs on 14 hits in 13 innings while striking out eight and walking two.
The rehabilitation Walker should return shortly. Rain postponed his Triple-A rehab outing this week, so his scheduled homecoming date in Arizona was pushed out to Sunday. On August 13, the Phillies will host the Miami Marlins at home, and the veteran should start.
August will not see Tyler Phillips conclude on the big league roster.
The next pitcher who may find it difficult to secure a spot in the rotation is Tyler Phillips, a rookie starter. The Phillies intend to use a six-man rotation at some point this month, but if they opt to use only five starters when Suárez returns, Phillips might end himself back in Triple-A.
The 26-year-old made history on July 7 against the Atlanta Braves with his record-breaking relief debut. He then put together a string of strong starts until he ran into a brick wall in Seattle.
Phillips had a 1.80 ERA in four outings (three starts) and 25 innings of work prior to his debut in Seattle. Among his many achievements was a thrilling shutout of the Cleveland Guardians for the whole game.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned during his fourth start against the Mariners. In just 1 2/3 innings, they pounded him for eight runs on five hits. Three home runs, three walks, and only one strikeout were part of the dismal outing.
According to Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, he made a brave start against the Dodgers in his most recent appearance (subscription needed). Over the course of five innings, he struck out three batters and limited the NL West leaders to four runs on six hits. When everyone is well, though, it might not be enough to guarantee his place in the rotation.
Phillips is deserving of the first opportunity at the sixth rotation place. All we can do is wait and see how long it lasts.
August will not see Yunior Marte end on the major league roster.
If Turnbull is able to return off the injured list before the end of the month, reliever Yunior Marte could find himself the odd man out in the bullpen, depending on how things fall into place. Turnbull will spend the remainder of the season in the bullpen, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
Marte is the obvious choice to return to Triple-A with one MiLB option left. In 10 innings since rejoining the Phillies bullpen at the end of June, the right-hander’s ERA is 7.20. Although he has recorded nine strikeouts, he has also given up eight walks, which is not what you want when a bullpen is used.
Marte has a 4.63 ERA and a dismal 1.67 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings this season. With Seranthony Domínguez no longer in the lineup, Marte has the distinction of having the highest ERA of any Phillies reliever who has pitched at least 20 innings.
Nor is it as though he has simply been unfortunate, as his 4.71 FIP and 5.80 xERA suggest. Although he has the lowest average exit velocity among bullpen hitters, this season has seen regressions in his walk, whiff, and chase rates.
Although José Ruiz, his rival, has also struggled since the beginning of July, he is at a loss for options, which could ease the Phillies’ decision regarding who to trade.
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