Phillies option Hoby Milner to AAA, Tommy Hunter expected to be activated
One of the Phillies key offseason additions is due to return from the disabled list
Left-handed specialist Hoby Milner has been sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, likely meaning Tommy Hunter will be activated from the disabled list.
Hunter has not officially been activated from the disabled list, but a move is expected before tomorrow’s series finale against Pittsburgh. He threw a shutout inning for Reading in a rehab assignment earlier this week.
Milner had a fantastic rookie season out of the Phillies bullpen last year but has struggled early. His season-debut was marred after allowing a solo home run in a loss to Atlanta, and his last outing didn’t help his case. After going eight games with opponents hitting .143 off him, the Braves scored three runs in two-thirds of an inning.
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Hunter injured his hamstring at the end of spring training and has missed the entire regular season. The 31-year-old was signed to a two-year $18 million contract this offseason to bring a veteran presence to a relatively young bullpen, joining Pat Neshek.
Adam Morgan will be the lone southpaw now just in the bullpen but on the entire pitching staff with Milner’s departure. The organizations former top pitching prospect has walked seven in eight and two-thirds innings and given up four runs.
Manager Gabe Kapler cited Hunter’s ability to pitch effectively to lefties, a factor in deciding to demote Milner. The lefty was one of three pitchers in the bullpen with three minor league options remaining, but Yacksel Rios and Victor Arano have been lights out this season.
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At least two more moves involving the bullpen are expected in the near future with Neshek and Mark Leiter Jr. recovering from injury. Drew Hutchinson is a candidate to be traded or designated for assignment to make room for one of the righties.