Now that the Phillies have formally clinched a spot within the postseason, supervisor Rob Thomson spoke to reporters (together with Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer) earlier as we speak concerning the membership’s plans for the postseason roster. Per Coffey, the membership seems to be leaning in direction of a 12-man pitching employees and an expanded bench for the playoffs this 12 months.
Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson, and Cal Stevenson presently make up the membership’s bench combine. Stubbs and Sosa are all however assured spots on the postseason bench because the membership’s backup catcher and first utility infielder respectively, but when the membership plans to make the most of a five-man bench within the postseason then there are nonetheless three spots up for grabs. Along with Clemens, Wilson, and Stevenson, Coffey notes that recently-optioned infielder Buddy Kennedy might be within the combine for a spot on the postseason bench as nicely.
Maybe most notably, outfielder Austin Hays additionally figures to issue into the membership’s bench dialog this postseason regardless of having spent your entire month of September so far on the IL as a consequence of a kidney an infection. Hays started a rehab project at Triple-A earlier as we speak and whereas that rehab stint solely figures to final two days with the Triple-A season set to finish tomorrow, Thomson indicated to reporters (together with Coffey) that the membership isn’t involved concerning the lack of in-game reps as a consequence of the truth that, if the Phillies safe a bye by way of the Wild Card spherical as they presently appear poised to do, Hays would be capable to get loads of at-bats in intra-squad video games throughout that layoff previous to the NLDS.
Hays, 28, began the season with the Orioles however was dealt to the Phillies within the commerce that despatched right-hander Seranthony Dominguez to Baltimore forward of the commerce deadline again in July. General, he’s been a roughly league common bat this 12 months with a .254/.305/.388 slash line (96 wRC+), although he was above common earlier than slumping in Philadelphia as he adjusted to a bench function. With that mentioned, he’s nonetheless a superb supply of offense towards left-handed pitching, as demonstrated by his sensational 166 wRC+ towards righties this season. That might make him an ideal platoon associate of types for Brandon Marsh, who the Phils have labored to guard from same-handed pitching for a lot of the 12 months.
If Hays joins Sosa and Stubbs on the membership’s bench, that would go away two spots accessible for the opposite 4 names that appear to be in dialogue. Stevenson has loved semi-regular taking part in time in a platoon with Johan Rojas in heart subject over the previous month and will proceed in the same function into the playoffs, whereas Clemens has the strongest file of the group as a pinch hitter this 12 months and will subsequently be a beautiful choice as nicely. That being mentioned, each Wilson and Kennedy might be viable options if the membership prefers extra right-handed choices on the bench past Sosa and Hays.
Set to hitch Hays on a rehab project tomorrow is right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who MLB.com’s Harm Tracker notes is anticipated to start out the season finale at Triple-A earlier than persevering with his rehab on the membership’s complicated in Florida. It’s a step in the fitting path for the 32-year-old, who has been shelved since late June as a consequence of a lat pressure however may nonetheless return to the membership in the course of the postseason. The suitable-hander was nothing in need of wonderful for the Phillies in a swing function early this 12 months, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP in 54 1/3 innings of labor.
Talking of injured right-handers, Coffey famous that high pitching prospect Andrew Painter might be within the dialog to take part within the Arizona Fall League as he works his means again from Tommy John surgical procedure, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Painter has been throwing to reside hitters within the membership’s Florida complicated, however Dombrowski famous that the membership has averted making a agency choice on his availability for the AFL in order to not put strain on the 21-year-old to get forward of himself in his rehab.
The membership’s high pitching prospect and a consensus top-30 prospect within the sport, Painter was within the dialog for the membership’s Opening Day roster after a dominant Spring Coaching final 12 months however ended up present process Tommy John surgical procedure earlier than being sidelined by accidents and ultimately going beneath the knife. The teenager figures to be able to return in time for the 2025 season, however a return this fall in Arizona could be an encouraging growth for a teenager who has misplaced loads of reps over the previous two seasons as a consequence of damage.
