A 4-9 start is not what the Philadelphia Phillies envisioned the year after winning the National League Pennant. Injuries have decimated the club with key players like Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and Ranger Suarez missing substantial time.
Even with the injuries, the Phillies are way better than their lackluster record shows, and they'll rebound sooner than later. However, to rebound, the Phillies will need to make some adjustments. What they're doing hasn't worked, and even in their current state they should be beating teams like the Reds and Marlins.
There are three players who might not last the rest of the month on the current roster.
1) Phillies outfielder Jake Cave might not be on the roster by May 1
Jake Cave was claimed off of waivers by the Phillies this offseason and was expected to provide some outfield depth. The Harper injury has forced him into a starting role against right-handed pitching, and Cave simply hasn't hit well enough to keep earning more starts.
The 30-year-old has just four hits in his first 24 at-bats with a home run and a double. If the Phillies want this kind of lackluster offensive production, they can just stick Cristian Pache in the lineup every day in center field and at least get his outstanding glove.
The Phillies need to do something to spark their offense as they're 24th in runs scored. Having Cave play every game against righties only to get four hits in his first 24 at-bats isn't exactly going to improve that. Bring someone like Dalton Guthrie or even Scott Kingery up to see what they can do in the outfield on days Pache doesn't play. It really can't be much worse.