Phillies to activate Howie Kendrick from DL, option Zach Eflin to Triple-A
By John Town
After three rough starts in a row, the Phillies optioned Zach Eflin back to Triple-A and activated Howie Kendrick from the disabled list.
After Sunday’s loss to the Reds, the Phillies optioned Zach Eflin back to Triple-A. Todd Zoelcki of MLB.com reported that Howie Kendrick is expected to be activated from the disabled list before Monday’s game and take Eflin’s spot on the roster.
Eflin was promoted to take Clay Buchholz’s spot in the rotation after he underwent surgery on his arm. Through his first five starts, Eflin had a 2.81 ERA and walked just four batters in 32 innings.
However, Eflin’s fortunes changed in his most recent starts. Eflin gave up seven runs for the third start in a row Sunday. He allowed nine hits and four home runs in five innings to the Reds. This came after giving up eight runs to the Rockies in his last start and seven to the Rangers in the start prior.
More from Phillies News
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
- Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?
There’s no saying who will fill Eflin’s spot in the rotation. The team has an off day Thursday, allowing the team to skip what would have been his next scheduled start. They will need to fill Eflin’s spot June 7 against the Braves.
Ben Lively pitched Saturday night and Nick Pivetta pitches Sunday night, so both are lined up to fill Eflin’s spot.
Kendrick was one of the team’s best hitters to start off the season as he had a .883 OPS in ten games. He had four walks and nine strikeouts in 43 plate appearances.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
- Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
Kendrick landed on the disabled list April 18 after straining his oblique. He missed more than a month before finally going for a rehab assignment with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs May 24. Kendrick has two hits, including a double and a RBI, in four rehab appearances with the IronPigs. He spent time in left field as well as at first and third base.
When Kendrick does come back, he will have to jostle for playing time with Aaron Altherr and Michael Saunders. Altherr has a .295/.385/.574 line in 40 games this year and is tied for the team lead in home runs with eight.
Meanwhile, Saunders has struggled with a .224 batting average and .681 OPS. Kendrick is more likely to edge out Saunders than Kendrick.
Next: Stassi making student's dreams come true
Kendrick could also play at third base in place of the struggling Maikel Franco, who has just two hits since being benched for two games against the Rockies.