Projecting what the Phillies' six-man rotation will look like in August

As the Philadelphia Phillies regroup from the MLB All-Star break, the starting rotation for the next week remains in questionable shape after a rash of minor injuries caused Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez to skip the All-Star game.

While it certainly was a bummer to miss Wheeler and first-time All-Star selection Suárez lace 'em up for the NL squad during the Midsummer Classic, the more important goal of winning the NL East division with a healthy starting rotation superseded individual accomplishment. Wheeler and Suárez each got some much-needed rest after making 38 combined starts in the first half.

The rest was especially important for Suárez, whose recent struggles have produced a record of 0-3 with three no-decisions in his last six starts. What's more, Suárez's previous high of 155 1/3 innings will likely be eclipsed in the second half, as the left-hander, who is currently hampered by lower back pain, currently sits at 114 innings in 2024.

Manager Rob Thomson hinted earlier this season that the team could take steps toward giving his starting pitchers a lighter workload at some point this summer, and a few recent reports have suggested that the Phillies could turn to using a six-man rotation in August.

Projecting what the Phillies' six-man rotation will look like in August

The concept of MLB teams employing six-man rotations isn't new, but it's also not an arrangement that lasts beyond a few weeks in a season. With the Phillies set to play 28 games in 30 days in August, reducing the workload on the starting rotation makes a lot of sense when days off are scarce and innings totals begin to creep up.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic recently confirmed the Phillies' plan to use a six-man rotation in the second half (subscription required).

It's worth noting that the Phillies used a six-man rotation after acquiring pitcher Michael Lorenzen at the MLB trade deadline last year, so this isn't new territory for the Phillies or Thomson. While the arrangement has its benefits, not all Phillies starters welcome pitching every six days. Most notable among them is Zack Wheeler.

“You’re just not as synced just because it’s more time than what you’re used to,” Wheeler said last season (subscription required), per Gelb. “You’ve been doing it for so long that — even if you change it with your mindset — your body is just used to it. So I think you’d rather pitch on four days’ rest at 80 percent and have that feel, rather than 90 percent with an extra day or two. That’s just me, personally. So, I don’t know.”

Regardless of Wheeler's personal feelings on the subject, the Phillies will almost certainly be going in that direction again during August and parts of September, so what could a six-man rotation look like?

Who will the Phillies add to the rotation in August?

The Phillies rotation will certainly feature Wheeler, Suárez, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez. Rookie Tyler Phillips will likely get another couple of opportunities in the rotation after his tremendous six innings of work versus the Oakland Athletics last week. The Phillies recently optioned fellow rookie Michael Mercado back to Triple-A after he was annihilated by A's hitters for six earned runs and three home runs in an embarrassing 18-3 defeat in the first-half finale last Sunday. If the Phillies go with a six-man rotation, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him again in August.

In addition to those six starters, Taijuan Walker (right index finger) and Spencer Turnbull (right lat strain) are both working their way back from injury and could be factors at some point in mid-to-late August.

Phillies six-man rotation depth chart

1. Zack Wheeler
2. Aaron Nola
3. Cristopher Sánchez
4. Ranger Suárez
5. Tyler Phillips
6. Michael Mercado

Could Phillies add another starter at trade deadline?

While much of the attention has been placed on internal candidates, Jackson Roberts of The Sporting News floated the idea of the Phillies acquiring a pitcher at the trade deadline who could make a few starts and then slide into the bullpen when the rotation is fully healthy.

"It [a six-man rotation] happened last season with Michael Lorenzen--who threw a memorable no-hitter with the Phillies almost immediately," wrote Roberts. "Lorenzen is likely available again, or maybe the Colorado Rockies' Cal Quantrill? The Washington Nationals' Trevor Williams, if healthy?"

Roberts opens up the possibility that the Phillies could add to their trade deadline shopping list by including a relief pitcher with starting experience as a trade target, in addition to the previous reports of being major players in the market for outfielders and a closer. While that's an interesting consideration forwarded by Roberts, it remains to be seen if a hybrid starting pitcher/reliever is part of the Phillies' trade discussions this month.