6 Phillies set to pitch in Sunday’s spring training opener

5. J.D. Hammer

Like Enyel De Los Santos, fellow right-handed reliever J.D. Hammer also has to earn his way back into the Phillies bullpen mix.

The Phillies acquired Hammer in July 2017 as part of a four-player trade that sent All-Star reliever Pat Neshek to the Colorado Rockies. In May 2019, the Phillies purchased his contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley after recording a 1.61 ERA in 14 relief appearances in the minors.

Hammer went on to appear in 20 games in red pinstripes as part of his rookie season, posting a 3.79 ERA, 1.421 WHIP, and 13-12 strikeouts-to-walks ratio through 19 innings. The Phillies optioned him back down to Triple-A that July, and he has yet to return to the big-leagues since.

Last February, the Phillies designated Hammer for assignment after claiming fellow reliever Deolis Guerra off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. The now-26-year-old went unclaimed, but was not a factor in last season’s alternate training site and player pool.

6. Tyler Carr

Drafted by the Phillies in the 31st round of the 2018 draft out of the University of South Alabama, right-handed reliever Tyler Carr is among the lesser known prospects in the organization.

The Florida native reached as high as the Double-A level in 2019, where he made one appearance and struck out six batters in just 2 2/3 innings. Combined in 2019, Carr, now 24, recorded a 1.29 ERa and 0.990 WHIP ratio, while striking out 76 batters in 69 2/3 innings.

Hammer and Carr are among the 10 pitchers invited to Phillies minor-league mini-camp this spring.