After a lost weekend in Miami, the Philadelphia Phillies reloaded their arms to begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays in town on Monday.
Right-hander Seth Johnson, who had a debut to forget on Sunday, is the casualty from the active 28-man roster, optioned back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Taking his spot on the roster is left-hander Tyler Gilbert.
Prior to tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Phillies recalled LHP Tyler Gilbert from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room for him on the 28-man roster, RHP Seth Johnson was optioned to Lehigh Valley.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 9, 2024
Phillies option Seth Johnson, recall Tyler Gilbert in pitching shakeup before series opener with Rays
Johnson came over to the Phillies in the Gregory Soto trade deadline deal and had impressed in his brief time in the organization's minor leagues. He carried a 0.69 ERA through three starts with the IronPigs.
With the Phillies unable to find a serviceable fifth starter, they called on their No. 15 prospect to make his MLB debut, but as it turned out, it wasn't something he was ready for. The Marlins lit him up for nine runs on eight hits and three walks over 2 1/3 innings.
Now, with some time before the Phillies need to worry about the fifth spot's next turn through the rotation, they've added Gilbert to the bullpen for extra relief insurance. Gilbert is a former Phillies' 2015 sixth-round draft pick who the team reacquired earlier in the season from the Cincinnati Reds. You may recognize his name, as he threw a no-hitter in his first MLB start while with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He has appeared in one game for the Phillies this year while the team was on its road trip through Kansas City in late August. He pitched two innings against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while recording one strikeout before being optioned back to the minors.
In 40 innings of relief with the IronPigs, Gilbert has a solid 2.25 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with a 31.5 percent strikeout rate, a 4.8 percent walk rate and a .214 opponent's batting average.
Unfortunately for Gilbert, his stay on the big league roster will likely be short-lived. Kolby Allard is the logical next man up when the Phillies will need a fifth starter on the weekend. The left-hander will finally be eligible to be recalled on Tuesday, but the team will probably wait until Friday or Saturday to make the move.