3 Phillies who won’t survive on 40-man roster past MLB trade deadline
With the trade deadline fast approaching, which Phillies could see their spot on the 40-man roster disappear?
As the trade deadline approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to make some additions to their already dominant major league roster. There will, hopefully, be some roster changes to the active 26-man roster, but that means there will probably be some shuffling of the 40-man roster.
If they make enough moves, the Phillies will ultimately need to open up some spots on their 40-man roster to allow for an influx of talent. Which players on the Phillies 40-man roster will likely be on the bubble following the expected deadline transactions?
Here are three potential candidates whose spots could be in jeopardy in the coming weeks.
3 Phillies who won’t survive on 40-man roster past MLB trade deadline
Nick Nelson, RHP
Right-handed pitcher Nick Nelson once appeared to be a solid piece in terms of starting pitching depth for the Phillies. After all, he put up some respectable numbers as a starter in the minor leagues just last season. Over 25 starts, Nelson posted a 7-3 record with a 3.83 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, giving up 49 earned runs with 43 walks and 92 strikeouts in 115 innings.
However, while being utilized primarily as a reliever by the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs this season, Nelson has been a complete disaster in the role. In 17 appearances, he has compiled an abysmal 9.17 ERA and 1.87 WHIP while giving up more earned runs (18) than innings pitched (17 2/3). Nelson also appeared in three big league games for the Phillies early in the season but struggled as well with a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.
With the Phillies likely looking for additional pitching depth at the trade deadline with a fair number of their pitchers currently on the IL, Nelson will need to pick up his game soon before his spot is eventually given to a deadline recruit instead.
Max Castillo, RHP
Max Castillo was among the many Phillies offseason moves to help bolster the organization's pitching depth, claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Castillo had shown some prior success in the majors, both as a starter and a reliever, in stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals over the past two seasons. In 21 career MLB games, he has posted a 5.43 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, with 47 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings pitched.
In 2024, the Phillies have focused on utilizing Castillo mainly as a starter with the IronPigs, due to their lack of starting pitching depth. However, Castillo had struggled mightily out of the gate, pitching to a dismal 0-3 record with an 8.54 ERA and 1.90 WHIP, giving up 25 earned runs on 35 hits with 15 walks and 25 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings of work.
As a result, he has seen time in the lower minor league levels with the FCL Phillies and is currently with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils to work on his pitching mechanics and rediscover his form.
He has looked better as of late, yielding only one earned run in five innings with the Fightin Phils. But Castillo will definitely need more of that on a consistent basis if he intends to keep his spot on the Phillies 40-man roster as the trade deadline approaches. Otherwise, he could be moved aside for a more promising addition in the coming weeks.
Rodolfo Castro, 2B/SS
Things have been a complete nightmare for Rodolfo Castro in his tenure with the Phillies. Previously a serviceable player with some power for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Castro has become a player of non-relevance ever since coming over to Philadelphia at last year’s trade deadline. In his 14 games of action that he managed to get into in 2023, he only registered three hits, two runs scored and two RBI in 32 plate appearances.
Despite having a more decent spring showing with the Phillies this year, Castro failed to make the Opening Day roster due to the already-stacked lineup. As a result, he began the year in Triple-A with the IronPigs. However, that was when Castro ran into some injury woes and has only seen two games of action all season. When he was sent to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws for his rehab assignment in late April, he appeared in one game and hasn't been heard from since.
Castro may have suffered yet another setback, or perhaps the Phillies would rather give more playing time to their prospects within the organization. Whatever the case, it certainly looks like he will lose his spot in the organization soon, let alone his spot on the 40-man roster. Perhaps a change of scenery would serve both Castro and the Phillies well going forward.
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