The Phillies have replaced Neil Walker on their active roster with Ronald Torreyes
The Philadelphia Phillies announced a slew of roster moves just prior to their Friday evening doubleheader opposite the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park — the second and third games of the overall seven-game set.
Their most notable transactions involve the addition and subtraction of veteran infielders. The Phillies purchased the contract of infielder Ronald Torreyes from their alternate training site, replacing designated infielder Neil Walker for assignment.
Before their doubleheader on Friday against the Marlins, manager Joe Girardi said they replaced Walker with Torreyes because the club needed “more versatile defensive coverage.” As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury notes, Torreyes can play infield and outfield, including center field — a thin position for the Phillies as of late, necessitating right fielder Bryce Harper to even start a few games there.
Phillies have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/yOmoMqgdr9
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 11, 2020
Walker, who turned 35 on Thursday, slashed just .231/.244/.308 spanning 18 games and 41 plate appearances in red pinstripes. He fielded five different positions for the Phillies this season, including 2/3 innings as a pitcher. The Pittsburgh native played two innings in left field, but did not receive a fielding chance.
Torreyes, 28, reunites with Girardi, as he played under the skipper with the New York Yankees during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, slashing .281/.311/.374 with 22 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 48 RBI, 21 walks and 63 strikeouts spanning 180 games and 505 plate appearances.
Also on Friday, the Phillies announced that they have recalled RHP Ramon Rosso from their alternate training site and activated LHP Adam Morgan from the 10-day injured list. Rookie right-hander Connor Brogdon, meanwhile, was sent down.
Rosso will serve as the 29th man in the doubleheader; he will likely be sent back down to Lehigh Valley following the game, barring a subsequent roster move. So far this season, Rosso has yielded five runs spanning 5 2/3 relief innings. The southpaw setup pitcher Morgan returns after missing the past week and a half with a shoulder issue.