The Philadelphia Phillies salvaged a split of their doubleheader against the San Diego Padres earlier this week thanks to Cristopher Sánchez's impressive start in the nightcap. The reason they needed that win so badly was because rookie right-hander Mick Abel bombed as the starter in the opening game.
On Friday, ahead of a weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds, the Phillies partly remedied the situation by optioning Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, recalling reliever Seth Johnson back to the bullpen. The right-hander Johnson was up with the Phillies serving as the team's 27th man for the two games on Wednesday, so his return to the minors after the doubleheader was inevitable.
Prior to today’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Phillies recalled RHP Seth Johnson from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP Mick Abel was optioned to Lehigh Valley.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 4, 2025
Phillies have seen enough of rookie Mick Abel in the rotation
The Phillies obviously decided they need bullpen help more than they need Abel in the rotation right now. After Abel began his MLB career with a stunning six-inning, nine-strikeout debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, things gradually went downhill as he allowed hard contact and his command grew more and more shaky.
Abel's ERA jumped to 5.04 after giving up five runs on two hits and five walks in his 1 2/3 innings against the Padres on Wednesday. The Phillies' No. 8 prospect, who was a first-round pick in 2020, has a 2.21 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 26 walks in 10 Triple-A starts this year.
This likely won't be the last we see of Abel, but he isn't eligible to be recalled for at least 15 days (barring an injury on the big league roster). What the Phillies plan to do with Abel's rotation spot remains to be seen. With off days scheduled for the next five weeks, they might be able to get away with the four established starters and a bullpen day as we head into the All-Star break.
Seth Johnson gets another chance to shine in Phillies' bullpen
After Abel's disastrous start on Wednesday, Johnson was the third man out of the bullpen as Phillies relievers worked to cover 7 1/3 innings. He pitched two clean innings, not allowing a hit or a walk while striking out two Padres in the 6-4 loss.
After the Phillies' 5-1 win to salvage a split in the doubleheader and take the series, manager Rob Thomson gave the 26-year-old a glowing review (subscription required), per The Athletic's Matt Gelb.
“He [Johnson] was really good,” Thomson said, per Gelb. “I mean, really good. Throwing strikes. He broke out that curveball, and it’s sharp. It’s a swing-and-miss pitch. So there’s a lot of things we have to talk about.”
It certainly sounded like Thomson wanted to see more of Johnson in the bullpen. The front office obviously listened, bringing the team's No. 13 prospect back to the majors. This will be his third stint with the team (including Wednesday's cameo). He appeared in one game in early June, giving up one run on two hits without recording a walk or a strikeout over two innings.
A starter-turned-reliever, Johnson has a 4.44 ERA in 24 1/3 innings since moving to the IronPigs bullpen full-time on April 22. He has 31 strikeouts and 15 walks. His stuff plays up in relief, with his four-seamer touching 99.8 mph on Wednesday and averaging 98.6 mph.
Johnson's length of stay in the majors this time around will likely depend entirely on his performance, as the Phillies are still searching for relief help.