Something had to give following Saturday's bloodbath at Citizens Bank Park. After the Philadelphia Phillies got absolutely blasted 17-7 by the Milwaukee Brewers, the team finally made a move in the beleaguered bullpen ahead of Sunday's game, recalling top pitching prospect, right-hander Seth Johnson, from Triple-A.
The Phillies announced the move roughly three hours before the series finale with the Brewers, the corresponding roster move sees veteran right-hander José Ruiz designated for assignment.
Prior to today’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies recalled RHP Seth Johnson from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP José Ruiz was designated for assignment. Johnson will wear No. 51.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 1, 2025
Swapping out José Ruiz for prospect Seth Johnson is a move the Phillies had to make
Johnson, 26, came over to the Phillies from the Orioles at last year's trade deadline as a starting pitcher. He made his MLB debut last September in a forgettable outing. After making four starts this season, the Phillies moved their No. 12 prospect to the bullpen in Lehigh Valley.
In 12 relief appearances for the IronPigs, Johnson has a 5.52 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. While those aren't exactly inspiring numbers, he does have 20 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Overall, he has 43 strikeouts in 33 innings this season. His biggest issue has been his command, with 10 walks out of the bullpen. However, he has only allowed three free passes in his last seven innings, so there has been improvement.
Despite the Phillies having a couple of candidates who could be shipped off from the bullpen, the move to DFA Ruiz isn't a big surprise after his performance on Saturday. After starter Jesús Luzardo had an outing for the history books by giving up 12 runs in just 3 1/3 innings, Ruiz was one of the relievers called upon to get the Phillies through the rest of the soul-crushing affair.
He didn't help the cause in a horrendous sixth inning. The 30-year-old from Venezuela allowed five runs on five hits, including a Jackson Chourio three-run home run.
CHOURIO JUST MADE IT 17-1 IN THE SIXTH https://t.co/raHDT6qPTz pic.twitter.com/43tcf9GqEw
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 31, 2025
The outing ballooned his ERA to 8.16 and his WHIP to 1.88 in 14 1/3 innings of work. After being one of the Phillies' biggest surprises in the bullpen last season, Ruiz's 2025 campaign has been disappointing.
The Phillies' bullpen, which has seen its fair share of struggles this season, has the sixth-highest ERA after Saturday's fiasco at 4.68. The move to bring Johnson up won't be the last this front office makes. But they had better get the ship righted if the Phillies want to have any hope of competing in the postseason.