With the Phillies’ relievers combining for a 9.87 ERA through 11 games, here are a few pitchers from the 40-man roster who should get an opportunity.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen has been arguably their biggest struggle through their first 11 games of the season.
Eleven relievers combined to give up 34 earned runs in 31 innings pitched, or a 9.87 ERA, through Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves. During the same stretch, six starters combined to give up 21 earned runs in 59 innings pitched, or a 3.20 ERA.
The only two relievers who have yet to give up a run are Hector Neris and Jose Alvarez. Neris gave up two hits in 2.1 innings, while Alvarez gave up two hits and one walk, also in 2.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Nick Pivetta, Deolis Guerra, Trevor Kelley, Austin Davis, Cole Irvin and Adam Morgan each have a sub-10 ERA.
The Phillies finally made roster moves on Tuesday, optioning Pivetta to the alternate training site and designating Kelley for assignment. They selected Blake Parker and Connor Brogdon from the 60-man player pool.
Parker has an 11-10 record, 3.56 ERA and 1.176 WHIP in seven major league seasons, split between six teams. He most recently posted a 3-3 record, 4.55 ERA and 1.223 WHIP in 60 games, including two starts, between the Phillies and the Minnesota Twins last season.
Brogdon worked his way through the Phillies’ farm system last year, posting a 6-2 record, 2.61 ERA and 0.921 WHIP in 51 relief appearances between High-A Clearwater, AA Reading and AAA Lehigh Valley.
It’s good to see roster moves after Aaron Nola pitched a gem on Monday, only to have the bullpen nearly blow a huge lead in the ninth inning. But, there were already alternate options before these moves. So, who from the 40-man roster should get an opportunity?