It’s a day earlier than anticipated, but you sure won’t hear anyone complaining about the Philadelphia Phillies’ latest roster move.
In a much-welcomed announcement, the team activated third baseman Alec Bohm (left hand strain) from the 10-day IL ahead of their series finale showdown with the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Phillies DFA veteran catcher Aramis Garcia to activate Alec Bohm
Bohm originally injured his left hand on a swing during the Aug. 29 game against the Atlanta Braves but didn’t hit the IL until Sept. 6, retroactive to Sept. 3. The Phillies were hesitant at first to place him on the injured list as they thought he would recover fast enough to not warrant a stint on the IL. However, with Bohm saying that it felt like someone hitting his hand with a hammer when he swung, per Paul Hagen of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the strain didn’t progress quickly enough. The team finally decided to give him the time he needed to get fully healthy.
He was eligible to return to the active roster on Friday but instead made one rehab appearance on Saturday with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He went 2-for-4 with a double, a single and a strikeout while playing the entire game as the IronPigs' third baseman.
Bohm, a first time All-Star this season, is batting .290/.343/.462 on the season, with 13 home runs, 89 RBI and 44 doubles in 131 games.
To make room for him on the roster, veteran backup catcher Aramis Garcia was designated for assignment and will have to clear waivers if there’s any chance of him winding up with Lehigh Valley again.
Garcia was added to the roster a week ago, when the team was in Miami, as a third catcher after J.T. Realmuto hit the shelf when he fouled a ball off of his left knee and was forced out of game action. The Phillies initially thought Realmuto would miss a game or two, but as it turned out, they needed Garcia's services this week.
The 31-year-old journeyman appeared in three games with the Phillies and didn't register a hit in seven plate appearances. He did, however, make a key play during Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays when he caught José Caballero trying to steal second in the ninth inning.