Phillies news: Three new relievers active, Jay Bruce to IL
By Matt Rappa
All three of the recently acquired bullpen pieces will be active for the Phillies on Saturday
Barring a complete-game effort from Zack Wheeler, the new-look Philadelphia Phillies bullpen will make its first appearance in Saturday’s game opposite the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
Prior to the game, the Phillies announced a slew of roster moves, including that their three newly acquired relievers from the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees — Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, and David Hale — will all be active for the weekend contest, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
Also, the team announced that slugging outfielder Jay Bruce has been placed on the injured list with a left quad strain, whereas center fielder Adam Haseley (left wrist sprain) has been activated from the injured list.
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As necessary corresponding moves, right-handed reliever Deolis Guerra was designated for assignment, while southpaw Cole Irvin and righty Connor Brogdon were optioned to Lehigh Valley.
RHPs David Hale, Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman have been added to the 28-man roster.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 22, 2020
Additionally, the Phillies have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/KsDK1dEqQt
Manager Joe Girardi‘s squad will miss the 33-year-old Bruce’s bat; in 16 games this season, he has slugged three doubles, two triples, four home runs and 11 RBI. Bruce has received six starts this season as the designated hitter, and seven as the left fielder. Andrew McCutchen could assume most of the starting designated hitter nods in the meantime, including on Saturday with Phil Gosselin filling in at left field.
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It will be interesting to see the impact that Workman, Hembree, and Hale can bring to the Phillies bullpen, which in recent days saw the subtraction of LHP Jose Alvarez (injured list) and LHP Austin Davis (designated for assignment), among other moves. Entering Saturday, the Phillies bullpen has an MLB-worst 7.97 ERA.
Hale, Hembree, and Workman will wear Nos. 41, 43 and 44 in red pinstripes, respectively.
Workman and Hembree, in particular, have three combined career World Series championships, won with the Red Sox in the 2013 and 2018 seasons.
A little more than one month remains of the shortened 2020 season.