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 in regards to the membership’s plans for the postseason roster. Per Coffey, the membership seems to be leaning in the direction of a 12-man pitching employees and an expanded bench for the playoffs this yr.
Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson, and Cal Stevenson at present 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 effectively.
Maybe most notably, outfielder Austin Hays additionally figures to issue into the membership’s bench dialog this postseason regardless of having spent the complete month of September thus far on the IL because of a kidney an infection. Hays started a rehab task 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 in regards to the lack of in-game reps because of the truth that, if the Phillies safe a bye via the Wild Card spherical as they at present appear poised to do, Hays would have the ability 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 yr 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 stated, he’s nonetheless a superb supply of offense in opposition to left-handed pitching, as demonstrated by his sensational 166 wRC+ in opposition to southpaws this season. That would make him an ideal platoon accomplice of kinds for Brandon Marsh, who the Phils have labored to guard from same-handed pitching for a lot of the yr.
If Hays joins Sosa and Stubbs on the membership’s bench, that would depart 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 middle subject over the previous month and will proceed in an analogous function into the playoffs, whereas Clemens has the strongest document of the group as a pinch hitter this yr and will due to this fact be a sexy choice as effectively. That being stated, 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 affix Hays on a rehab task 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 advanced in Florida. It’s a step in the correct route for the 32-year-old, who has been shelved since late June because of a lat pressure however may nonetheless return to the membership throughout the postseason. The fitting-hander was nothing in need of glorious for the Phillies in a swing function early this yr, 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 stay hitters within the membership’s Florida advanced, however Dombrowski famous that the membership has averted making a agency resolution on his availability for the AFL in order to not put stress 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 yr however ended up present process Tommy John surgical procedure earlier than being sidelined by accidents and ultimately going beneath the knife. The teen figures to be able to return in time for the 2025 season, however a return this fall in Arizona can be an encouraging improvement for a teen who has misplaced loads of reps over the previous two seasons because of damage.