Phillies left-hander Daniel Stumpf, a Rule 5 pick out of the Royals organization, has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance (dehydrochlormethyltestosterone), Major League Baseball announced today. The Phillies have announced that left-hander Elvis Araujo has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Stumpf’s place on the 25-man roster.
Stumpf, 25, is one of two Rule 5 picks to make the Phillies club out of Spring Training this season, joining former Rays outfielder Tyler Goeddel. Stumpf had a solid Spring Training, pitching to a 3.65 ERA with a 14-to-4 K/BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings. He struggled mightily in his MLB debut this year, yielding three runs without recording an out, but he’s appeared in a pair of games since that time and retired the two batters he’s been asked to face. Last season, in 70 2/3 innings at the Double-A level, Stumpf logged a 3.57 ERA with 9.7 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9.
The Phillies will still be able to control the rights to their Rule 5 selection when he returns from the suspension, if they choose. Last year, we saw a pair of Rule 5 picks — David Rollins (Mariners) and Andrew McKirahan (Braves, via waivers from Marlins) — each receive 80-game suspensions but stick with their new organizations regardless. The team has issued a press release with the following statement on the matter: “The Phillies support Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today’s news of Daniel’s violation.”
He had some upside, but i didnt really see a reason to take him over Bobby LaFromise or Araujo out of ST other than depth
He had a free ride to mlb with Phils and gave it away. Cut him. Not worth the time and effort
He hasn’t given anything away. Both Rollins and McKirahan came back and played last season after their suspensions and Stumpf probably will as well. Weirdly, this might end up being good for him because now he can work on improving his game without the pressure of performing in the majors. I get that everyone wants to get out the pitchforks and demonize these PED guys, but this could be a blessing in disguise for both the Phils and Stumpf.
I agree that these PED suspensions seem to benefit the player sticking for the full year as they have 80 less games they have to be on the roster for. By the time he returns they only have about a month and a half until rosters expand. I doubt Rollins would of lasted the year last year had he not had the suspension.
MLB will probably change that rule in a future CBA now that at least three Rule 5 picks have been suspended. It could phrase the rule as that the player needs to be active on the big-league roster for 162 games before being able to be sent to the minors for anything other than a rehab assignment.
You have to wonder if the pressure of sticking with the big league club before they are really ready is causing these Rule 5 guys to succumb to temptation. Three in two years might be more than just a coincidence. At the very least it might give MLB an inkling on whom to ask to provide the “random” sample.
That’s a very interesting point!
Stumpf would not have made team if not rule 5. Other guys will not get a chance and if they produce he is an after thought
That’s one way to stash a rule 5 guy on your roster. Have him get busted for 80 games which essentially has him miss half the season, he comes back and the team will already be out of contention. He pitches in 25-30 meaningless games in August and Septemener and The Phillies get to keep him and hardly even had to expose him to big leagues. Brilliant.
Bigger Phillies news today is that they may have just fleeced the Astros…. will see, but its not looking good for the stro bros.