The Phillies’ roster is expected to experience more adjustments as the season nears its final stretch. Following the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies have mostly settled their lineup for the push toward the playoffs, though there are still some uncertainties.
Even though the team has faced challenges since the All-Star break, they remain in a strong position with under eight weeks left in the season. With three wins in their last four games leading up to Thursday’s matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phillies hold a 7.5-game lead in the NL East.
They continue to be the team to beat, boasting a strong roster with few concerns. As long as their key players stay healthy, attention will largely be on the edges of the 26-man roster, where both the front office and fans will be watching for any changes.
3 Phillies players who won’t finish the month of August on the big-league roster
The Phillies are still waiting for pitchers Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suárez, and Spencer Turnbull to return from the injured list. There are some concerns about how the rotation will look through August, especially with the six-man plan eventually being adopted – once they have enough healthy starters.
The bullpen could also see some movement, at least in a few areas. The top six relief pitchers figure to be set for the next two months, thanks to the arrivals of Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks on deadline.
Which guys on the fringes of the roster do the Phillies’ coaching staff and front office consider as expendable and replaceable as they look to glide into the National League Division Series?
Kolby Allard won’t finish the month of August on the big-league roster
Kolby Allard is expected to be the first Phillies pitcher to head to Lehigh Valley in August. The left-hander was called up on July 27 to replace the injured Ranger Suárez, who went on the 15-day IL. Having signed as a free agent in January, Allard still has a Minor League option available, which the Phillies are likely to use soon.
Thursday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks could be his final appearance. Once the Phillies activate Walker from the IL, Allard, at 26, is the most probable candidate to be removed from the roster.
In his three games (two starts) with the Phillies, Allard has posted a 3.46 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Over 13 innings, he has given up five runs on 14 hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Walker, who is currently rehabbing, is expected to return soon. His initial return was scheduled for Sunday in Arizona, but rain delays have pushed back his Triple-A rehab outing. He is now anticipated to start when the Phillies come home to face the Miami Marlins on August 13.
Tyler Phillips won’t finish the month of August on the big-league roster
Rookie starter Tyler Phillips may be the next pitcher at risk of losing his rotation spot. The Phillies are considering using a six-man rotation later this month, but if they opt for only five starters when Suárez returns, Phillips could be sent back to Triple-A.
Phillips made a strong impression with a record-setting relief debut against the Atlanta Braves on July 7 and followed it up with solid starts until he struggled in Seattle.
Before his Seattle start, Phillips had posted a 1.80 ERA over 25 innings in four appearances (three of which were starts), including a standout complete-game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians.
However, his fourth start against the Mariners was a disappointment. He allowed eight runs on five hits in just 1 2/3 innings, with three home runs, three walks, and only one strikeout.
In his most recent outing against the Dodgers, Phillips showed resilience by limiting the NL West leaders to four runs on six hits over five innings, with three strikeouts. Despite this effort, his spot in the rotation may still be in question once the roster is at full strength.
Phillips is expected to get the first opportunity to fill the sixth spot in the rotation, and he has earned that chance. However, it remains to be seen how long he will hold onto it.
Yunior Marte won’t finish the month of August on the big-league roster
Reliever Yunior Marte may find himself out of the Phillies’ bullpen if Turnbull returns from the injured list before the end of the month. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Turnbull will be moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season.
With one Minor League option left, Marte is the likely candidate to be sent back to Triple-A. Since rejoining the Phillies’ bullpen at the end of June, the right-hander has posted a 7.20 ERA over 10 innings. Despite recording nine strikeouts, he has also issued eight walks, which is problematic for a reliever.
For the season, Marte has a 4.63 ERA and a concerning 1.67 WHIP across 23 1/3 innings. With Seranthony Domínguez now out, Marte has the highest ERA among Phillies relievers who have pitched at least 20 innings.
His struggles aren’t merely a case of bad luck, as his 5.80 xERA and 4.71 FIP suggest. Although he has the lowest average exit velocity against him among relievers, his chase rate, whiff rate, and walk rate have all worsened this season.
In contrast, José Ruiz, who has also faced difficulties since early July, is out of options, which should simplify the decision for the Phillies regarding who to move.
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